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authorGeorg Brandl <georg@python.org>2007-08-15 14:28:22 +0000
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+
+:mod:`imaplib` --- IMAP4 protocol client
+========================================
+
+.. module:: imaplib
+ :synopsis: IMAP4 protocol client (requires sockets).
+.. moduleauthor:: Piers Lauder <piers@communitysolutions.com.au>
+.. sectionauthor:: Piers Lauder <piers@communitysolutions.com.au>
+
+
+.. index::
+ pair: IMAP4; protocol
+ pair: IMAP4_SSL; protocol
+ pair: IMAP4_stream; protocol
+
+.. % Based on HTML documentation by Piers Lauder
+.. % <piers@communitysolutions.com.au>;
+.. % converted by Fred L. Drake, Jr. <fdrake@acm.org>.
+.. % Revised by ESR, January 2000.
+.. % Changes for IMAP4_SSL by Tino Lange <Tino.Lange@isg.de>, March 2002
+.. % Changes for IMAP4_stream by Piers Lauder
+.. % <piers@communitysolutions.com.au>, November 2002
+
+This module defines three classes, :class:`IMAP4`, :class:`IMAP4_SSL` and
+:class:`IMAP4_stream`, which encapsulate a connection to an IMAP4 server and
+implement a large subset of the IMAP4rev1 client protocol as defined in
+:rfc:`2060`. It is backward compatible with IMAP4 (:rfc:`1730`) servers, but
+note that the ``STATUS`` command is not supported in IMAP4.
+
+Three classes are provided by the :mod:`imaplib` module, :class:`IMAP4` is the
+base class:
+
+
+.. class:: IMAP4([host[, port]])
+
+ This class implements the actual IMAP4 protocol. The connection is created and
+ protocol version (IMAP4 or IMAP4rev1) is determined when the instance is
+ initialized. If *host* is not specified, ``''`` (the local host) is used. If
+ *port* is omitted, the standard IMAP4 port (143) is used.
+
+Three exceptions are defined as attributes of the :class:`IMAP4` class:
+
+
+.. exception:: IMAP4.error
+
+ Exception raised on any errors. The reason for the exception is passed to the
+ constructor as a string.
+
+
+.. exception:: IMAP4.abort
+
+ IMAP4 server errors cause this exception to be raised. This is a sub-class of
+ :exc:`IMAP4.error`. Note that closing the instance and instantiating a new one
+ will usually allow recovery from this exception.
+
+
+.. exception:: IMAP4.readonly
+
+ This exception is raised when a writable mailbox has its status changed by the
+ server. This is a sub-class of :exc:`IMAP4.error`. Some other client now has
+ write permission, and the mailbox will need to be re-opened to re-obtain write
+ permission.
+
+There's also a subclass for secure connections:
+
+
+.. class:: IMAP4_SSL([host[, port[, keyfile[, certfile]]]])
+
+ This is a subclass derived from :class:`IMAP4` that connects over an SSL
+ encrypted socket (to use this class you need a socket module that was compiled
+ with SSL support). If *host* is not specified, ``''`` (the local host) is used.
+ If *port* is omitted, the standard IMAP4-over-SSL port (993) is used. *keyfile*
+ and *certfile* are also optional - they can contain a PEM formatted private key
+ and certificate chain file for the SSL connection.
+
+The second subclass allows for connections created by a child process:
+
+
+.. class:: IMAP4_stream(command)
+
+ This is a subclass derived from :class:`IMAP4` that connects to the
+ ``stdin/stdout`` file descriptors created by passing *command* to
+ ``os.popen2()``.
+
+ .. versionadded:: 2.3
+
+The following utility functions are defined:
+
+
+.. function:: Internaldate2tuple(datestr)
+
+ Converts an IMAP4 INTERNALDATE string to Coordinated Universal Time. Returns a
+ :mod:`time` module tuple.
+
+
+.. function:: Int2AP(num)
+
+ Converts an integer into a string representation using characters from the set
+ [``A`` .. ``P``].
+
+
+.. function:: ParseFlags(flagstr)
+
+ Converts an IMAP4 ``FLAGS`` response to a tuple of individual flags.
+
+
+.. function:: Time2Internaldate(date_time)
+
+ Converts a :mod:`time` module tuple to an IMAP4 ``INTERNALDATE`` representation.
+ Returns a string in the form: ``"DD-Mmm-YYYY HH:MM:SS +HHMM"`` (including
+ double-quotes).
+
+Note that IMAP4 message numbers change as the mailbox changes; in particular,
+after an ``EXPUNGE`` command performs deletions the remaining messages are
+renumbered. So it is highly advisable to use UIDs instead, with the UID command.
+
+At the end of the module, there is a test section that contains a more extensive
+example of usage.
+
+
+.. seealso::
+
+ Documents describing the protocol, and sources and binaries for servers
+ implementing it, can all be found at the University of Washington's *IMAP
+ Information Center* (http://www.cac.washington.edu/imap/).
+
+
+.. _imap4-objects:
+
+IMAP4 Objects
+-------------
+
+All IMAP4rev1 commands are represented by methods of the same name, either
+upper-case or lower-case.
+
+All arguments to commands are converted to strings, except for ``AUTHENTICATE``,
+and the last argument to ``APPEND`` which is passed as an IMAP4 literal. If
+necessary (the string contains IMAP4 protocol-sensitive characters and isn't
+enclosed with either parentheses or double quotes) each string is quoted.
+However, the *password* argument to the ``LOGIN`` command is always quoted. If
+you want to avoid having an argument string quoted (eg: the *flags* argument to
+``STORE``) then enclose the string in parentheses (eg: ``r'(\Deleted)'``).
+
+Each command returns a tuple: ``(type, [data, ...])`` where *type* is usually
+``'OK'`` or ``'NO'``, and *data* is either the text from the command response,
+or mandated results from the command. Each *data* is either a string, or a
+tuple. If a tuple, then the first part is the header of the response, and the
+second part contains the data (ie: 'literal' value).
+
+The *message_set* options to commands below is a string specifying one or more
+messages to be acted upon. It may be a simple message number (``'1'``), a range
+of message numbers (``'2:4'``), or a group of non-contiguous ranges separated by
+commas (``'1:3,6:9'``). A range can contain an asterisk to indicate an infinite
+upper bound (``'3:*'``).
+
+An :class:`IMAP4` instance has the following methods:
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.append(mailbox, flags, date_time, message)
+
+ Append *message* to named mailbox.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.authenticate(mechanism, authobject)
+
+ Authenticate command --- requires response processing.
+
+ *mechanism* specifies which authentication mechanism is to be used - it should
+ appear in the instance variable ``capabilities`` in the form ``AUTH=mechanism``.
+
+ *authobject* must be a callable object::
+
+ data = authobject(response)
+
+ It will be called to process server continuation responses. It should return
+ ``data`` that will be encoded and sent to server. It should return ``None`` if
+ the client abort response ``*`` should be sent instead.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.check()
+
+ Checkpoint mailbox on server.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.close()
+
+ Close currently selected mailbox. Deleted messages are removed from writable
+ mailbox. This is the recommended command before ``LOGOUT``.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.copy(message_set, new_mailbox)
+
+ Copy *message_set* messages onto end of *new_mailbox*.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.create(mailbox)
+
+ Create new mailbox named *mailbox*.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.delete(mailbox)
+
+ Delete old mailbox named *mailbox*.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.deleteacl(mailbox, who)
+
+ Delete the ACLs (remove any rights) set for who on mailbox.
+
+ .. versionadded:: 2.4
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.expunge()
+
+ Permanently remove deleted items from selected mailbox. Generates an ``EXPUNGE``
+ response for each deleted message. Returned data contains a list of ``EXPUNGE``
+ message numbers in order received.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.fetch(message_set, message_parts)
+
+ Fetch (parts of) messages. *message_parts* should be a string of message part
+ names enclosed within parentheses, eg: ``"(UID BODY[TEXT])"``. Returned data
+ are tuples of message part envelope and data.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.getacl(mailbox)
+
+ Get the ``ACL``\ s for *mailbox*. The method is non-standard, but is supported
+ by the ``Cyrus`` server.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.getannotation(mailbox, entry, attribute)
+
+ Retrieve the specified ``ANNOTATION``\ s for *mailbox*. The method is
+ non-standard, but is supported by the ``Cyrus`` server.
+
+ .. versionadded:: 2.5
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.getquota(root)
+
+ Get the ``quota`` *root*'s resource usage and limits. This method is part of the
+ IMAP4 QUOTA extension defined in rfc2087.
+
+ .. versionadded:: 2.3
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.getquotaroot(mailbox)
+
+ Get the list of ``quota`` ``roots`` for the named *mailbox*. This method is part
+ of the IMAP4 QUOTA extension defined in rfc2087.
+
+ .. versionadded:: 2.3
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.list([directory[, pattern]])
+
+ List mailbox names in *directory* matching *pattern*. *directory* defaults to
+ the top-level mail folder, and *pattern* defaults to match anything. Returned
+ data contains a list of ``LIST`` responses.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.login(user, password)
+
+ Identify the client using a plaintext password. The *password* will be quoted.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.login_cram_md5(user, password)
+
+ Force use of ``CRAM-MD5`` authentication when identifying the client to protect
+ the password. Will only work if the server ``CAPABILITY`` response includes the
+ phrase ``AUTH=CRAM-MD5``.
+
+ .. versionadded:: 2.3
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.logout()
+
+ Shutdown connection to server. Returns server ``BYE`` response.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.lsub([directory[, pattern]])
+
+ List subscribed mailbox names in directory matching pattern. *directory*
+ defaults to the top level directory and *pattern* defaults to match any mailbox.
+ Returned data are tuples of message part envelope and data.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.myrights(mailbox)
+
+ Show my ACLs for a mailbox (i.e. the rights that I have on mailbox).
+
+ .. versionadded:: 2.4
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.namespace()
+
+ Returns IMAP namespaces as defined in RFC2342.
+
+ .. versionadded:: 2.3
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.noop()
+
+ Send ``NOOP`` to server.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.open(host, port)
+
+ Opens socket to *port* at *host*. The connection objects established by this
+ method will be used in the ``read``, ``readline``, ``send``, and ``shutdown``
+ methods. You may override this method.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.partial(message_num, message_part, start, length)
+
+ Fetch truncated part of a message. Returned data is a tuple of message part
+ envelope and data.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.proxyauth(user)
+
+ Assume authentication as *user*. Allows an authorised administrator to proxy
+ into any user's mailbox.
+
+ .. versionadded:: 2.3
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.read(size)
+
+ Reads *size* bytes from the remote server. You may override this method.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.readline()
+
+ Reads one line from the remote server. You may override this method.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.recent()
+
+ Prompt server for an update. Returned data is ``None`` if no new messages, else
+ value of ``RECENT`` response.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.rename(oldmailbox, newmailbox)
+
+ Rename mailbox named *oldmailbox* to *newmailbox*.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.response(code)
+
+ Return data for response *code* if received, or ``None``. Returns the given
+ code, instead of the usual type.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.search(charset, criterion[, ...])
+
+ Search mailbox for matching messages. *charset* may be ``None``, in which case
+ no ``CHARSET`` will be specified in the request to the server. The IMAP
+ protocol requires that at least one criterion be specified; an exception will be
+ raised when the server returns an error.
+
+ Example::
+
+ # M is a connected IMAP4 instance...
+ typ, msgnums = M.search(None, 'FROM', '"LDJ"')
+
+ # or:
+ typ, msgnums = M.search(None, '(FROM "LDJ")')
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.select([mailbox[, readonly]])
+
+ Select a mailbox. Returned data is the count of messages in *mailbox*
+ (``EXISTS`` response). The default *mailbox* is ``'INBOX'``. If the *readonly*
+ flag is set, modifications to the mailbox are not allowed.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.send(data)
+
+ Sends ``data`` to the remote server. You may override this method.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.setacl(mailbox, who, what)
+
+ Set an ``ACL`` for *mailbox*. The method is non-standard, but is supported by
+ the ``Cyrus`` server.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.setannotation(mailbox, entry, attribute[, ...])
+
+ Set ``ANNOTATION``\ s for *mailbox*. The method is non-standard, but is
+ supported by the ``Cyrus`` server.
+
+ .. versionadded:: 2.5
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.setquota(root, limits)
+
+ Set the ``quota`` *root*'s resource *limits*. This method is part of the IMAP4
+ QUOTA extension defined in rfc2087.
+
+ .. versionadded:: 2.3
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.shutdown()
+
+ Close connection established in ``open``. You may override this method.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.socket()
+
+ Returns socket instance used to connect to server.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.sort(sort_criteria, charset, search_criterion[, ...])
+
+ The ``sort`` command is a variant of ``search`` with sorting semantics for the
+ results. Returned data contains a space separated list of matching message
+ numbers.
+
+ Sort has two arguments before the *search_criterion* argument(s); a
+ parenthesized list of *sort_criteria*, and the searching *charset*. Note that
+ unlike ``search``, the searching *charset* argument is mandatory. There is also
+ a ``uid sort`` command which corresponds to ``sort`` the way that ``uid search``
+ corresponds to ``search``. The ``sort`` command first searches the mailbox for
+ messages that match the given searching criteria using the charset argument for
+ the interpretation of strings in the searching criteria. It then returns the
+ numbers of matching messages.
+
+ This is an ``IMAP4rev1`` extension command.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.status(mailbox, names)
+
+ Request named status conditions for *mailbox*.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.store(message_set, command, flag_list)
+
+ Alters flag dispositions for messages in mailbox. *command* is specified by
+ section 6.4.6 of :rfc:`2060` as being one of "FLAGS", "+FLAGS", or "-FLAGS",
+ optionally with a suffix of ".SILENT".
+
+ For example, to set the delete flag on all messages::
+
+ typ, data = M.search(None, 'ALL')
+ for num in data[0].split():
+ M.store(num, '+FLAGS', '\\Deleted')
+ M.expunge()
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.subscribe(mailbox)
+
+ Subscribe to new mailbox.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.thread(threading_algorithm, charset, search_criterion[, ...])
+
+ The ``thread`` command is a variant of ``search`` with threading semantics for
+ the results. Returned data contains a space separated list of thread members.
+
+ Thread members consist of zero or more messages numbers, delimited by spaces,
+ indicating successive parent and child.
+
+ Thread has two arguments before the *search_criterion* argument(s); a
+ *threading_algorithm*, and the searching *charset*. Note that unlike
+ ``search``, the searching *charset* argument is mandatory. There is also a
+ ``uid thread`` command which corresponds to ``thread`` the way that ``uid
+ search`` corresponds to ``search``. The ``thread`` command first searches the
+ mailbox for messages that match the given searching criteria using the charset
+ argument for the interpretation of strings in the searching criteria. It then
+ returns the matching messages threaded according to the specified threading
+ algorithm.
+
+ This is an ``IMAP4rev1`` extension command.
+
+ .. versionadded:: 2.4
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.uid(command, arg[, ...])
+
+ Execute command args with messages identified by UID, rather than message
+ number. Returns response appropriate to command. At least one argument must be
+ supplied; if none are provided, the server will return an error and an exception
+ will be raised.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.unsubscribe(mailbox)
+
+ Unsubscribe from old mailbox.
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4.xatom(name[, arg[, ...]])
+
+ Allow simple extension commands notified by server in ``CAPABILITY`` response.
+
+Instances of :class:`IMAP4_SSL` have just one additional method:
+
+
+.. method:: IMAP4_SSL.ssl()
+
+ Returns SSLObject instance used for the secure connection with the server.
+
+The following attributes are defined on instances of :class:`IMAP4`:
+
+
+.. attribute:: IMAP4.PROTOCOL_VERSION
+
+ The most recent supported protocol in the ``CAPABILITY`` response from the
+ server.
+
+
+.. attribute:: IMAP4.debug
+
+ Integer value to control debugging output. The initialize value is taken from
+ the module variable ``Debug``. Values greater than three trace each command.
+
+
+.. _imap4-example:
+
+IMAP4 Example
+-------------
+
+Here is a minimal example (without error checking) that opens a mailbox and
+retrieves and prints all messages::
+
+ import getpass, imaplib
+
+ M = imaplib.IMAP4()
+ M.login(getpass.getuser(), getpass.getpass())
+ M.select()
+ typ, data = M.search(None, 'ALL')
+ for num in data[0].split():
+ typ, data = M.fetch(num, '(RFC822)')
+ print 'Message %s\n%s\n' % (num, data[0][1])
+ M.close()
+ M.logout()
+