mvmf: MFL To-Do List

Like the others, this to-do list may grow faster than it shrinks; elements can get reprioritized, and ideas change. This is a snapshot of the list at a recent point.

Fundamental MFL language elements
Higher level MFL functions
Recently removed from the To-Do list

Fundamental MFL language elements

Things that are strictly language changes:

Unbounded arrays, e.g. "string *ssP[];" where array can grow.
Content-addressable arrays, and/or non-integer array subscripts.
The various RFCs and I-Ds listed in the SIEVE language table.

Higher level MFL facilities

Higher level things for MFL script access.

header-only filing (to support reviewing headers of otherwise unwanted mail).
More flexible access to MIME parts. Ability to rename mime types, and perhaps replace the encoding of mime parts.
Editing, deletion, and substitution of data within message parts.
More plog language support (for writing to the private logs).
Transforms of data for comparison purposes. Transforms might include html comment removal, spam word normalization (for de-obfuscation), content-type interpretation, charset transforms.
Access to external mail processing utilities, perhaps via a library of plugins. Such things might include antivirus scanners, bayesian engines, permission token systems, and so forth.

Recently removed

Things recently removed from the to-do list:

String data types: Implemented November 2003, used in personal and test scripts fairly heavily.
built-in functions: Implemented November 2003, used heavily by system-wide macros.
Ability to use MFL expressions in SIEVE constructs: Implemented November 2003, now used heavily by system-wide macros.
MFL functions: Implemented December 2003, now used heavily in system-wide macros.
Access to matched strings and string parts: Provided December 2003 via $_match() built-in-function.
Initializers on variable definitions: Added January 2004
Provide MFL access to various message elements.: Some accesses are there as of November 2004.
Better substring support.: Getting better as needed.
Direct access to MIME parts. Ability to remove mime parts...: Access to MIME parts enabled in fall of 2004 via msgpart selection and focus.
Support for an action that pipes mail to an external command.: Initial implementation in December 2004, with administrative control over who can use it.
Enable private logs (code for private logs is in, but there is no way to turn it on or access it from MFL).: As of February 2005 the private log can be enabled by setting the string control "log_private_name" (e.g. using the $control_string_set() built-in MFL function).