Internet Message Access Protocol
Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) is a communication protocol for the retrieval of emails from a mail server.
Contents
History
The Post Office Protocol was used to retrieve emails, but had little-to-no functionality beyong that. IMAP in contrast was designed as an API through which a mailbox could be manipulated.
Iterative drafts and counterproposals circulated between 1986 and 1993. In the midst of this process, the MIME standard became established, requiring drafts be further extended.
The final standard is IMAP4.