The poplib Module

The poplib module (shown in Example 7-28) provides a Post Office Protocol (POP3) client implementation. This protocol is used to "pop" (copy) messages from a central mail server to your local computer.

Example 7-28. Using the poplib Module

File: poplib-example-1.py import poplib import string, random import StringIO, rfc822 SERVER = "pop.spam.egg" USER = "mulder" PASSWORD = "trustno1" # connect to server server = poplib.POP3(SERVER) # login server.user(USER) server.pass_(PASSWORD) # list items on server resp, items, octets = server.list() # download a random message id, size = string.split(random.choice(items)) resp, text, octets = server.retr(id) text = string.join(text, " ") file = StringIO.StringIO(text) message = rfc822.Message(file) for k, v in message.items(): print k, "=", v print message.fp.read() subject = ANN: (the eff-bot guide to) The Standard Python Library message-id = <199910120808.KAA09206@spam.egg> received = (from fredrik@spam.egg) by spam.egg (8.8.7/8.8.5) id KAA09206 for mulder; Tue, 12 Oct 1999 10:08:47 +0200 from = Fredrik Lundh date = Tue, 12 Oct 1999 10:08:47 +0200 to = mulder@spam.egg ...