How does an e-mail get sent with SMTP and what role does IMAP play?
In: 5
Both are protocols, by which I mean “the ground rules that two computers agree on when talking to each other”.
SMTP is the protocol used for delivering email. IMAP, and for us oldies, POP3 before that, is the protocol used for clients to receive email.
The SMTP conversation itself is verbose and lengthy, but text-based, so you can understand it as a developer. A readable version looks like this:
“`
Sender: Hello!
Mail server: Hello!
S: I have an email from [email protected]
M: 👍🏽
S: It’s going to [email protected]
M: Looks good to me
S: I’m transmitting the email now!
M: no problem, when you’re done say “over and out”
S: <a long email, possibly with binary parts for attachments and images>
S: Over and out.
M: Got it, it’s on its way.
S: Hello!
…
“`
IMAP has similar verbiage but the commands are oriented around getting emails from the server, and setting the mailbox state (emails read/unread, flagged/starred, etc.)
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