Module imaplib :: Class IMAP4
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_ClassType IMAP4

Known Subclasses:

IMAP4 client class.

Instantiate with: IMAP4([host[, port]])

        host - host's name (default: localhost);
        port - port number (default: standard IMAP4 port).

All IMAP4rev1 commands are supported by methods of the same
name (in 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 any
non-printing characters or white-space 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: "(\Deleted)").

Each command returns a tuple: (type, [data, ...]) where 'type'
is usually 'OK' or 'NO', and 'data' is either the text from the
tagged response, or untagged results from 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).

Errors raise the exception class <instance>.error("<reason>").
IMAP4 server errors raise <instance>.abort("<reason>"),
which is a sub-class of 'error'. Mailbox status changes
from READ-WRITE to READ-ONLY raise the exception class
<instance>.readonly("<reason>"), which is a sub-class of 'abort'.

"error" exceptions imply a program error.
"abort" exceptions imply the connection should be reset, and
        the command re-tried.
"readonly" exceptions imply the command should be re-tried.

Note: to use this module, you must read the RFCs pertaining to the
IMAP4 protocol, as the semantics of the arguments to each IMAP4
command are left to the invoker, not to mention the results. Also,
most IMAP servers implement a sub-set of the commands available here.

Nested Classes [hide private]
error
abort
readonly
Instance Methods [hide private]
 
__init__(self, host='', port=143)
 
__getattr__(self, attr)
 
open(self, host='', port=143)
Setup connection to remote server on "host:port" (default: localhost:standard IMAP4 port).
 
read(self, size)
Read 'size' bytes from remote.
 
readline(self)
Read line from remote.
 
send(self, data)
Send data to remote.
 
shutdown(self)
Close I/O established in "open".
 
socket(self)
Return socket instance used to connect to IMAP4 server.
 
recent(self)
Return most recent 'RECENT' responses if any exist, else prompt server for an update using the 'NOOP' command.
 
response(self, code)
Return data for response 'code' if received, or None.
 
append(self, mailbox, flags, date_time, message)
Append message to named mailbox.
 
authenticate(self, mechanism, authobject)
Authenticate command - requires response processing.
 
capability(self)
(typ, [data]) = <instance>.capability() Fetch capabilities list from server.
 
check(self)
Checkpoint mailbox on server.
 
close(self)
Close currently selected mailbox.
 
copy(self, message_set, new_mailbox)
Copy 'message_set' messages onto end of 'new_mailbox'.
 
create(self, mailbox)
Create new mailbox.
 
delete(self, mailbox)
Delete old mailbox.
 
deleteacl(self, mailbox, who)
Delete the ACLs (remove any rights) set for who on mailbox.
 
expunge(self)
Permanently remove deleted items from selected mailbox.
 
fetch(self, message_set, message_parts)
Fetch (parts of) messages.
 
getacl(self, mailbox)
Get the ACLs for a mailbox.
 
getannotation(self, mailbox, entry, attribute)
(typ, [data]) = <instance>.getannotation(mailbox, entry, attribute) Retrieve ANNOTATIONs.
 
getquota(self, root)
Get the quota root's resource usage and limits.
 
getquotaroot(self, mailbox)
Get the list of quota roots for the named mailbox.
 
list(self, directory='""', pattern='*')
List mailbox names in directory matching pattern.
 
login(self, user, password)
Identify client using plaintext password.
 
login_cram_md5(self, user, password)
Force use of CRAM-MD5 authentication.
 
_CRAM_MD5_AUTH(self, challenge)
Authobject to use with CRAM-MD5 authentication.
 
logout(self)
Shutdown connection to server.
 
lsub(self, directory='""', pattern='*')
List 'subscribed' mailbox names in directory matching pattern.
 
myrights(self, mailbox)
Show my ACLs for a mailbox (i.e.
 
namespace(self)
Returns IMAP namespaces ala rfc2342
 
noop(self)
Send NOOP command.
 
partial(self, message_num, message_part, start, length)
Fetch truncated part of a message.
 
proxyauth(self, user)
Assume authentication as "user".
 
rename(self, oldmailbox, newmailbox)
Rename old mailbox name to new.
 
search(self, charset, *criteria)
Search mailbox for matching messages.
 
select(self, mailbox='INBOX', readonly=False)
Select a mailbox.
 
setacl(self, mailbox, who, what)
Set a mailbox acl.
 
setannotation(self, *args)
(typ, [data]) = <instance>.setannotation(mailbox[, entry, attribute]+) Set ANNOTATIONs.
 
setquota(self, root, limits)
Set the quota root's resource limits.
 
sort(self, sort_criteria, charset, *search_criteria)
IMAP4rev1 extension SORT command.
 
status(self, mailbox, names)
Request named status conditions for mailbox.
 
store(self, message_set, command, flags)
Alters flag dispositions for messages in mailbox.
 
subscribe(self, mailbox)
Subscribe to new mailbox.
 
thread(self, threading_algorithm, charset, *search_criteria)
IMAPrev1 extension THREAD command.
 
uid(self, command, *args)
Execute "command arg ..." with messages identified by UID, rather than message number.
 
unsubscribe(self, mailbox)
Unsubscribe from old mailbox.
 
xatom(self, name, *args)
Allow simple extension commands notified by server in CAPABILITY response.
 
_append_untagged(self, typ, dat)
 
_check_bye(self)
 
_command(self, name, *args)
 
_command_complete(self, name, tag)
 
_get_response(self)
 
_get_tagged_response(self, tag)
 
_get_line(self)
 
_match(self, cre, s)
 
_new_tag(self)
 
_checkquote(self, arg)
 
_quote(self, arg)
 
_simple_command(self, name, *args)
 
_untagged_response(self, typ, dat, name)
 
_mesg(self, s, secs=None)
 
_dump_ur(self, dict)
 
_log(self, line)
 
print_log(self)
Class Variables [hide private]
  mustquote = re.compile(r'[^\w!#\$%&\'\*\+,\.:;<=>\?\^`\|~-]')
Method Details [hide private]

open(self, host='', port=143)

 
Setup connection to remote server on "host:port"
    (default: localhost:standard IMAP4 port).
This connection will be used by the routines:
    read, readline, send, shutdown.

socket(self)

 

Return socket instance used to connect to IMAP4 server.

socket = <instance>.socket()

recent(self)

 

Return most recent 'RECENT' responses if any exist, else prompt server for an update using the 'NOOP' command.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.recent()

'data' is None if no new messages, else list of RECENT responses, most recent last.

response(self, code)

 

Return data for response 'code' if received, or None.

Old value for response 'code' is cleared.

(code, [data]) = <instance>.response(code)

append(self, mailbox, flags, date_time, message)

 
Append message to named mailbox.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.append(mailbox, flags, date_time, message)

        All args except `message' can be None.

authenticate(self, mechanism, authobject)

 
Authenticate command - requires response processing.

'mechanism' specifies which authentication mechanism is to
be used - it must appear in <instance>.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.

check(self)

 

Checkpoint mailbox on server.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.check()

close(self)

 

Close currently selected mailbox.

Deleted messages are removed from writable mailbox. This is the recommended command before 'LOGOUT'.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.close()

copy(self, message_set, new_mailbox)

 

Copy 'message_set' messages onto end of 'new_mailbox'.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.copy(message_set, new_mailbox)

create(self, mailbox)

 

Create new mailbox.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.create(mailbox)

delete(self, mailbox)

 

Delete old mailbox.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.delete(mailbox)

deleteacl(self, mailbox, who)

 

Delete the ACLs (remove any rights) set for who on mailbox.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.deleteacl(mailbox, who)

expunge(self)

 

Permanently remove deleted items from selected mailbox.

Generates 'EXPUNGE' response for each deleted message.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.expunge()

'data' is list of 'EXPUNGE'd message numbers in order received.

fetch(self, message_set, message_parts)

 

Fetch (parts of) messages.

(typ, [data, ...]) = <instance>.fetch(message_set, message_parts)

'message_parts' should be a string of selected parts enclosed in parentheses, eg: "(UID BODY[TEXT])".

'data' are tuples of message part envelope and data.

getacl(self, mailbox)

 

Get the ACLs for a mailbox.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.getacl(mailbox)

getquota(self, root)

 

Get the quota root's resource usage and limits.

Part of the IMAP4 QUOTA extension defined in rfc2087.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.getquota(root)

getquotaroot(self, mailbox)

 

Get the list of quota roots for the named mailbox.

(typ, [[QUOTAROOT responses...], [QUOTA responses]]) = <instance>.getquotaroot(mailbox)

list(self, directory='""', pattern='*')

 

List mailbox names in directory matching pattern.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.list(directory='""', pattern='*')

'data' is list of LIST responses.

login(self, user, password)

 

Identify client using plaintext password.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.login(user, password)

NB: 'password' will be quoted.

login_cram_md5(self, user, password)

 

Force use of CRAM-MD5 authentication.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.login_cram_md5(user, password)

logout(self)

 

Shutdown connection to server.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.logout()

Returns server 'BYE' response.

lsub(self, directory='""', pattern='*')

 

List 'subscribed' mailbox names in directory matching pattern.

(typ, [data, ...]) = <instance>.lsub(directory='""', pattern='*')

'data' are tuples of message part envelope and data.

myrights(self, mailbox)

 

Show my ACLs for a mailbox (i.e. the rights that I have on mailbox).

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.myrights(mailbox)

namespace(self)

 

Returns IMAP namespaces ala rfc2342

(typ, [data, ...]) = <instance>.namespace()

noop(self)

 

Send NOOP command.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.noop()

partial(self, message_num, message_part, start, length)

 

Fetch truncated part of a message.

(typ, [data, ...]) = <instance>.partial(message_num, message_part, start, length)

'data' is tuple of message part envelope and data.

proxyauth(self, user)

 

Assume authentication as "user".

Allows an authorised administrator to proxy into any user's mailbox.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.proxyauth(user)

rename(self, oldmailbox, newmailbox)

 

Rename old mailbox name to new.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.rename(oldmailbox, newmailbox)

search(self, charset, *criteria)

 

Search mailbox for matching messages.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.search(charset, criterion, ...)

'data' is space separated list of matching message numbers.

select(self, mailbox='INBOX', readonly=False)

 

Select a mailbox.

Flush all untagged responses.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.select(mailbox='INBOX', readonly=False)

'data' is count of messages in mailbox ('EXISTS' response).

Mandated responses are ('FLAGS', 'EXISTS', 'RECENT', 'UIDVALIDITY'), so other responses should be obtained via <instance>.response('FLAGS') etc.

setacl(self, mailbox, who, what)

 

Set a mailbox acl.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.setacl(mailbox, who, what)

setquota(self, root, limits)

 

Set the quota root's resource limits.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.setquota(root, limits)

sort(self, sort_criteria, charset, *search_criteria)

 

IMAP4rev1 extension SORT command.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.sort(sort_criteria, charset, search_criteria, ...)

status(self, mailbox, names)

 

Request named status conditions for mailbox.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.status(mailbox, names)

store(self, message_set, command, flags)

 

Alters flag dispositions for messages in mailbox.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.store(message_set, command, flags)

subscribe(self, mailbox)

 

Subscribe to new mailbox.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.subscribe(mailbox)

thread(self, threading_algorithm, charset, *search_criteria)

 

IMAPrev1 extension THREAD command.

(type, [data]) = <instance>.thread(threading_alogrithm, charset, search_criteria, ...)

uid(self, command, *args)

 
Execute "command arg ..." with messages identified by UID,
        rather than message number.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.uid(command, arg1, arg2, ...)

Returns response appropriate to 'command'.

unsubscribe(self, mailbox)

 

Unsubscribe from old mailbox.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.unsubscribe(mailbox)

xatom(self, name, *args)

 
Allow simple extension commands
        notified by server in CAPABILITY response.

Assumes command is legal in current state.

(typ, [data]) = <instance>.xatom(name, arg, ...)

Returns response appropriate to extension command `name'.