Need help with Email - Sometimes works, sometimes Not!!

[Fulltimer]

I have a strange problem with the built in Email function in A5. Sometimes it will work and other times it will not work.

I can usually send a successful email to myself if I use one or more of my own domain names. When I enter a domain name other than my own, I get an error that the message has encountered an error.

Without changing a single line of code, I can change the "TO" field contents and test sending an email in my business app. My chances are 50/50 that it will either work or not. I wish it would fail all the time if it encountered an error but I can't determine what error it may be running into.

Is there some more reliable way to send emails from an A5 biz app. ?

[Steve Wood]

Re: Need help with Email - Sometimes works, sometimes Not!!

This code is very lame but it works. A much better solution is to use an "email queue". See here and scroll down to find "REA Automailer" - http://iadn.com/store.a5w (or here is a direct link to that product: http://iadn.com/store.a5w?item=REA_CHASEAPI)

result=.t.
dim xx as n = 0
while result = .f.
sleep(1.00) ' slows down email a bit
result = email_send2(pm,e_prof,.t.,.f.,.F.)
xx = xx + 1
if xx > 5
exit while
end if
end while

[Fulltimer]

Re: Need help with Email - Sometimes works, sometimes Not!!

This code is very lame but it works. A much better solution is to use an "email queue". See here and scroll down to find "REA Automailer" - http://iadn.com/store.a5w (or here is a direct link to that product: http://iadn.com/store.a5w?item=REA_CHASEAPI)

Steve,

I am unclear as to where your submitted code is to be inserted. At first glance I get the feeling that this might be used if someone where attempting "mass mail" where a pause might be useful. That is not my current situation.

I am basically looking at a simple form that has a button that will attempt to send an email from the data contained in the form. I can hit SUBMIT with "[email protected]" entered in the FROM field and it will work just fine. A few seconds later I can try it with "[email protected]" and it will fail. I could then go back to my original entry and it will work again.

What forces are at work here? I am not asking the form to "SEND" to this altered email address, only to accept it as "raw data". To recipient (at this point) is a hard coded reference to "MY ADDRESS". Does the component (in the background) somehow try to check the validity of the entered email? Why would that matter at this time since I'm not trying to email to that entered data?

A similar situation occurs when I try to allow the user to enter a "TO" address. In other words, the recipient. The A5 component will often refuse to accept an email address that it is not aware of as being "valid". Well that would be the majority of them.

This is quite perplexing!!!

Tom W.

[Steve Wood]

Re: Need help with Email - Sometimes works, sometimes Not!!

The situation you describe is exactly where I would use my lame code. If the email fails to send then mostly likely the value of result will be false, and it will try again, up to five times per my code. The reason I came up with this solution is for situations exactly as you describe - and I have no clue why the email failed to send in a previous request.


EDIT: Wait, I just notice your text in bold "build in Email function in A5". Sorry, I have never used that and normally have to be beaten severely in order to adopt Alpha's "helpers". I use code because it is more flexible and I can debug. OTOH, I am always pleasantly surprised how effective their helpers are and eventually I reluctantly adopt them.

I am now looking at the built in email function and it appears to set e.hasError=True if the email fails to send. If that is true, you could use that value to retry until it was successful, but that would require code very similar to what I provided anyway.

If your valid email addresses are being rejected by Alpha's helper, it is not because it is "unknown". It has to be because the email address is malformed, or Alpha thinks it is malformed. If you give us some example of email addresses that fail we can test them out.

[Fulltimer]

Re: Need help with Email - Sometimes works, sometimes Not!!

Steve,

I wouldn't exactly call "any code" lame, IF IT WORKS!!! I'm hoping to test your potential solution when I get back to my dev computer. I appreciate you looking into this matter.

Here is what you can test at the actual web site.

- goto pi-masteronline.com
- no need to login
- select top menu option - Contact Us
- fill in data as below

Your Name : Paul Wise

Your Email : [email protected]

Comment : this is just a test

Click submit. Msg will probably get sent.

Now change domain name slightly in email address : [email protected]

Click submit , Msg will probably fail. All we did is just add a "1". Curious!!!!

Try same thing using your own valid email address. See what happens. Obviously we are not changing ANY CODE. The recipient is hard coded to go to MY biz address. The email you enter is NOT EVEN used at this point, yet the altered address causes a failure. This is more than strange.

Inside the app, I allow the function to actually use an email address that is entered into a field for a client. This allows the user to send a brief msg to the client or defendant or insurance company etc. The problem still exists under these circumstances.

If you or anyone else can help me figure out the logic in this type of error, it would be appreciated.

Thanks

Tom W.

[GGandhi]

Re: Need help with Email - Sometimes works, sometimes Not!!

I went to your website (did not fill in information, just to see ) it looks like a simple form to submit information to your database and send the information to a central email ( may be you are not saving, not sure of that. I do all the time)

Click submit. Msg will probably get sent.

Now change domain name slightly in email address : [email protected]

this portion I am not able to understand how that happens. so it looks like just an email submission form, no saving to database.
regardless
I tested in mine (gmail settings and alpha client) I followed your steps and the email get sent every time.
so if you show how you have set it up other than what is in post #1, I could test for you if I have some time today or tomorrow.

[Fulltimer]

Re: Need help with Email - Sometimes works, sometimes Not!!

Gandhi,

I am providing several images related to my issue. Hopefully these will show something of value. Please try the example at "my site". That's where the problem resides and it would be helpful if I learned if you get the same results from your location. You may certainly change the exact data entered if you wish.

email_action.pngemail_design_view.pngemail_failure.pngemail_successview.png


No I am NOT trying to add anything to a database. Just send a simple email.

Thanks,

Tom W.

[Steve Wood]

Re: Need help with Email - Sometimes works, sometimes Not!!

Tom, can you show a snapshot of the dialog under ExecuteServerSideAction("Send E-mail Message::Send_an_e_mail_message"). For a change in your TO Email address causing an error, it must be interacting with the action scripting somehow.

[GGandhi]

Re: Need help with Email - Sometimes works, sometimes Not!!

thank you for providing the images, I do not need to check. i trust you, i am sure you tested this many times prior to posting. I won't gain by checking the same results you get.
however the missing information in these images are
1> the email settings that are in the view->settings->email I just need the information no need to upload images
2> project settings ->email
3> and the pop up you fill to complete the email action, i do need the image.
these three are essential to decipher the issue. if you don't mind please furnish those information.

[Fulltimer]

Re: Need help with Email - Sometimes works, sometimes Not!!

Tom, can you show a snapshot of the dialog under ExecuteServerSideAction("Send E-mail Message::Send_an_e_mail_message"). For a change in your TO Email address causing an error, it must be interacting with the action scripting somehow.

Please provide me with info on how to Private Message you. I would feel more comfortable using this methodology.

Tom W.

[Fulltimer]

Re: Need help with Email - Sometimes works, sometimes Not!!

thank you for providing the images, I do not need to check. i trust you, i am sure you tested this many times prior to posting. I won't gain by checking the same results you get.
however the missing information in these images are
1> the email settings that are in the view->settings->email I just need the information no need to upload images
2> project settings ->email
3> and the pop up you fill to complete the email action, i do need the image.
these three are essential to decipher the issue. if you don't mind please furnish those information.

Please provide me with info on how to Private Message you. I would feel more comfortable using this methodology.

Tom W.

[GGandhi]

Re: Need help with Email - Sometimes works, sometimes Not!!

Please provide me with info on how to Private Message you. I would feel more comfortable using this methodology.

Tom W.

i checked in all settings there is no sensitive data revealed in all the three places, however i sent you a private message you can reply to that. or send an email to the address in my signature or just call me on the phone listed in my signature

[GGandhi]

Re: Need help with Email - Sometimes works, sometimes Not!!

sent you a pm, you can reply to that if you like.

[Fulltimer]

Re: Need help with Email - Sometimes works, sometimes Not!!

My problem has been solved by creating a new account at Gmail and using those settings within the several screens where A5 requires Email settings. For some reason my current settings from GoDaddy would no longer work consistently.

I will continue to see if the new settings REALLY make a difference.

Tom W.