# Sending e-mail messages using PHP

> Send email from PHP scripts with the mail() function, the PEAR Mail class or PHPMailer, within your plan's mail rules.

Source: https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/developers/php/sending-e-mail-messages-using-php/

PHP provides several methods for sending e‑mail messages from scripts. On **ruachost.com**, you can use the built‑in `mail()` function, the **PEAR Mail class**, or **PHPMailer** depending on your hosting package and requirements.

## Important Hosting Restrictions

- If you are on **Shared Hosting** or **Managed WordPress Hosting**, you **cannot** use external SMTP servers.
- You must send e‑mail through **ruachost.com  servers**.
- Other hosting packages (Managed VPS, Dedicated) allow more flexibility with external SMTP servers.

## Method 1: Using the PHP `mail()` Function

The simplest way to send e‑mail:

```
<?php
mail(
  "recipient@example.com",
  "This is the message subject",
  "This is the message body",
  "From: sender@example.com\r\nContent-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8",
  "-fsender@example.com"
);
?>
```

Always set the **From** address correctly.

- If not set, messages may appear as `nobody@example.com`.
- Limitations: no SMTP authentication, limited header control.

## Method 2: Using the PEAR Mail Class

More powerful and supports SMTP authentication.

```
<?php
require 'Mail.php';

$recipient = 'recipient@example.com';
$headers['From'] = 'sender@example.com';
$headers['To'] = $recipient;
$headers['Subject'] = 'This is the message subject';
$headers['Content-Type'] = 'text/plain; charset=utf-8';
$body = 'This is the message body';

$smtp_params['host'] = 'ssl://server_name';
$smtp_params['port'] = '465';
$smtp_params['auth'] = true;
$smtp_params['username'] = 'username';
$smtp_params['password'] = 'password';

$mail_object = Mail::factory('smtp', $smtp_params);
$mail_object->send($recipient, $headers, $body);
?>
```

- Requires installing the **PEAR Mail package**.
- Supports authentication and advanced headers.

## Method 3: Using PHPMailer

PHPMailer is a popular library with robust features.

```
<?php
use PHPMailer\PHPMailer\PHPMailer;

require 'vendor/autoload.php';

$mail = new PHPMailer();
$mail->isSMTP();
$mail->Host = 'smtp.server.com';
$mail->SMTPAuth = true;
$mail->Username = 'username';
$mail->Password = 'password';
$mail->SMTPSecure = 'ssl';
$mail->Port = 465;

$mail->setFrom('sender@example.com', 'Sender Name');
$mail->addAddress('recipient@example.com');
$mail->Subject = 'This is the message subject';
$mail->Body    = 'This is the message body';

if(!$mail->send()) {
    echo "Mailer Error: " . $mail->ErrorInfo;
} else {
    echo "Message sent!";
}
?>
```

- Easier formatting of HTML e‑mails.
- Better error handling.
- Widely used in CMS platforms like WordPress.

> **Best Practices:**
- Always set proper headers (`From`, `Reply‑To`, `Content‑Type`).
- Use SMTP authentication when possible to reduce spam filtering.
- Test with different mail clients to ensure formatting.
- Avoid sending bulk mail directly from PHP scripts; use mailing services.