Closed. This question does not meet Stack Overflow guidelines. It is not currently accepting answers.
Questions asking us to recommend or find a tool, library or favorite off-site resource are off-topic for Stack Overflow as they tend to attract opinionated answers and spam. Instead, describe the problem and what has been done so far to solve it.
Closed 9 years ago.
Improve this question
I am looking for a method of reading emails using Pop3 in C# 2.0. Currently, I am using code found in CodeProject. However, this solution is less than ideal. The biggest problem is that it doesn't support emails written in unicode.
I've successfully used OpenPop.NET to access emails via POP3.
downloading the email via the POP3 protocol is the easy part of the task. The protocol is quite simple and the only hard part could be advanced authentication methods if you don't want to send a clear text password over the network (and cannot use the SSL encrypted communication channel). See RFC 1939: Post Office Protocol - Version 3
and RFC 1734: POP3 AUTHentication command for details.
The hard part comes when you have to parse the received email, which means parsing MIME format in most cases. You can write quick&dirty MIME parser in a few hours or days and it will handle 95+% of all incoming messages. Improving the parser so it can parse almost any email means:
getting email samples sent from the most popular mail clients and improve the parser in order to fix errors and RFC misinterpretations generated by them.
Making sure that messages violating RFC for message headers and content will not crash your parser and that you will be able to read every readable or guessable value from the mangled email
correct handling of internationalization issues (e.g. languages written from righ to left, correct encoding for specific language etc)
UNICODE
Attachments and hierarchical message item tree as seen in "Mime torture email sample"
S/MIME (signed and encrypted emails).
and so on
Debugging a robust MIME parser takes months of work. I know, because I was watching my friend writing one such parser for the component mentioned below and was writing a few unit tests for it too ;-)
Back to the original question.
Following code taken from our POP3 Tutorial page and links would help you:
//
// create client, connect and log in
Pop3 client = new Pop3();
client.Connect("pop3.example.org");
client.Login("username", "password");
// get message list
Pop3MessageCollection list = client.GetMessageList();
if (list.Count == 0)
{
Console.WriteLine("There are no messages in the mailbox.");
}
else
{
// download the first message
MailMessage message = client.GetMailMessage(list[0].SequenceNumber);
...
}
client.Disconnect();
HOWTO: Download emails from a GMail account in C# (blogpost)
Rebex Mail for .NET (POP3/IMAP client component for .NET)
Rebex Secure Mail for .NET (POP3/IMAP client component for .NET - SSL enabled)
My open source application BugTracker.NET includes a POP3 client that can parse MIME. Both the POP3 code and the MIME code are from other authors, but you can see how it all fits together in my app.
For the MIME parsing, I use http://anmar.eu.org/projects/sharpmimetools/.
See the file POP3Main.cs, POP3Client.cs, and insert_bug.aspx
You can also try Mail.dll mail component, it has SSL support, unicode, and multi-national email support:
using(Pop3 pop3 = new Pop3())
{
pop3.Connect("mail.host.com"); // Connect to server and login
pop3.Login("user", "password");
foreach(string uid in pop3.GetAll())
{
IMail email = new MailBuilder()
.CreateFromEml(pop3.GetMessageByUID(uid));
Console.WriteLine( email.Subject );
}
pop3.Close(false);
}
You can download it here at https://www.limilabs.com/mail
Please note that this is a commercial product I've created.
call me old fashion but why use a 3rd party library for a simple protocol. I've implemented POP3 readers in web based ASP.NET application with System.Net.Sockets.TCPClient and System.Net.Security.SslStream for the encryption and authentication. As far as protocols go, once you open up communication with the POP3 server, there are only a handful of commands that you have to deal with. It is a very easy protocol to work with.
I wouldn't recommend OpenPOP. I just spent a few hours debugging an issue - OpenPOP's POPClient.GetMessage() was mysteriously returning null. I debugged this and found it was a string index bug - see the patch I submitted here: http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&aid=2833334&group_id=92166&atid=599778. It was difficult to find the cause since there are empty catch{} blocks that swallow exceptions.
Also, the project is mostly dormant... the last release was in 2004.
For now we're still using OpenPOP, but I'll take a look at some of the other projects people have recommended here.
HigLabo.Mail is easy to use. Here is a sample usage:
using (Pop3Client cl = new Pop3Client())
{
cl.UserName = "MyUserName";
cl.Password = "MyPassword";
cl.ServerName = "MyServer";
cl.AuthenticateMode = Pop3AuthenticateMode.Pop;
cl.Ssl = false;
cl.Authenticate();
///Get first mail of my mailbox
Pop3Message mg = cl.GetMessage(1);
String MyText = mg.BodyText;
///If the message have one attachment
Pop3Content ct = mg.Contents[0];
///you can save it to local disk
ct.DecodeData("your file path");
}
you can get it from https://github.com/higty/higlabo or Nuget [HigLabo]
I just tried SMTPop and it worked.
I downloaded this.
Added smtpop.dll reference to my C# .NET project
Wrote the following code:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using SmtPop;
namespace SMT_POP3 {
class Program {
static void Main(string[] args) {
SmtPop.POP3Client pop = new SmtPop.POP3Client();
pop.Open("<hostURL>", 110, "<username>", "<password>");
// Get message list from POP server
SmtPop.POPMessageId[] messages = pop.GetMailList();
if (messages != null) {
// Walk attachment list
foreach(SmtPop.POPMessageId id in messages) {
SmtPop.POPReader reader= pop.GetMailReader(id);
SmtPop.MimeMessage msg = new SmtPop.MimeMessage();
// Read message
msg.Read(reader);
if (msg.AddressFrom != null) {
String from= msg.AddressFrom[0].Name;
Console.WriteLine("from: " + from);
}
if (msg.Subject != null) {
String subject = msg.Subject;
Console.WriteLine("subject: "+ subject);
}
if (msg.Body != null) {
String body = msg.Body;
Console.WriteLine("body: " + body);
}
if (msg.Attachments != null && false) {
// Do something with first attachment
SmtPop.MimeAttachment attach = msg.Attachments[0];
if (attach.Filename == "data") {
// Read data from attachment
Byte[] b = Convert.FromBase64String(attach.Body);
System.IO.MemoryStream mem = new System.IO.MemoryStream(b, false);
//BinaryFormatter f = new BinaryFormatter();
// DataClass data= (DataClass)f.Deserialize(mem);
mem.Close();
}
// Delete message
// pop.Dele(id.Id);
}
}
}
pop.Quit();
}
}
}
Related
I'm trying to read emails from specific Gmail account. I have found something here(Stackoverflow) but I can't manage reading the emails.
this is what I'm using:
public static void logingmail()
{
// Connect to the IMAP server. The 'true' parameter specifies to use SSL
// which is important (for Gmail at least)
ImapClient ic = new ImapClient("imap.gmail.com", "Any#gmail.com", "4521945219",AuthMethods.Login, 993, true);
// Select a mailbox. Case-insensitive
ic.SelectMailbox("Inbox");
string countmessages = ic.GetMessageCount().ToString();
// Get the first *11* messages. 0 is the first message;
// and it also includes the 10th message, which is really the eleventh ;)
// MailMessage represents, well, a message in your mailbox
MailMessage[] mm = ic.GetMessages(0, 10);
foreach (MailMessage m in mm)
{
var subject = m.Subject.ToString();
}
// Probably wiser to use a using statement
ic.Dispose();
}
The problem I'm experiencsing probably happening when I'm first creating the new ImapCliient class. for some reason it's opening a browse path to choose a file(?).
I'll be happy for some assistance.
Thanks
You should use the solution of the second post of the topic were you have found something, S22.Imap.
(Here you can find a compiled version).
After download, you can read the documentation. It is simple and readable.
Actually, I use this library and that works well !
I have, so far as I know, a piece of relatively vanilla SMTP Client code in my C# Dot Net 4.0 web application. This has been working fine for sometime now, cranking out text messages with minimal HTML formatting. (If memory serves, it was based on this: http://blog.jdconley.com/2009/01/fire-and-forget-email-webservices-and.html)
Now the powers that be want to add graphics. The details have yet to be finalized but for the moment I am assuming that they would want to use graphic images either by themselves or as background for some HTML construct.
Frankly I am not an email expert. After a bit of hacking I managed to get this to work, sort of. (This hack is based on this: http://www.intstrings.com/ramivemula/articles/how-to-send-an-email-using-c-net-with-complete-features/ I also added an AlternativeView list to the MessageInfo object for processing in the main mail routine. The logo image itself is a part of the project, sitting in the root.)
I have several worries here.
First and foremost, how generic is this? Is this the best approach? How many types of mail server will be able to receive and properly display this?
In my testing, this succeeds when I send it to myself in Outlook over the company server. This message does not arrive when I try to send it to my personal accounts at Yahoo or Gmail. (Yes, I've checked the spam buckets.)
Suggestions?
MessageInfo mi = new MessageInfo();
MessageStatusInfo msi = new MessageStatusInfo();
EmailAgent ea = new EmailAgent();
ea.minfoDefaultCommunicationSettings = new DefaultCommunicationSettingsInfo();
mi.EmailToAddresses.Add("AnAddress#MyCompany.com");
mi.EmailFrom = "Someone#MyCompany.com";
mi.EmailSubject = "Email Test";
mi.IsBodyHtml = true;
mi.SMTPServer = "My Company's Email Server";
string str = "<html><body><table border='5'><tr><td><img src=\"cid:image1\"></td></tr></table></body></html>";
AlternateView av = AlternateView.CreateAlternateViewFromString(str, null, MediaTypeNames.Text.Html);
LinkedResource lr = new LinkedResource(Server.MapPath("logo.jpg"), MediaTypeNames.Image.Jpeg);
lr.ContentId = "image1";
av.LinkedResources.Add(lr);
mi.avc.Add(av);
msi = ea.SendMail(mi);
I have to do a Windows application that from times to times access a Gmail account and checks if there is a new email. In case there is, it must read the email body and subject (a simple text email, without images or attachments).
Please, do not use paid libs, and in case of any other libs used, give the download path.
And I need the email body and subject only. So if the long and complex message that comes from Gmail could be parsed and only two strings containing the subject and the body, it would be perfect.
Finally, I only have to get the new messages arrived since the last execution. So the read messages could be marked as "read" and only the new ones (marked as "new") are considered.
The code can be written in Python or C++, but I prefer it in C#.
Related question:
Properly formatted example for Python iMAP email access?
This prints the subject and body of unseen messages, and marks those messages as seen.
import imaplib
import email
def extract_body(payload):
if isinstance(payload,str):
return payload
else:
return '\n'.join([extract_body(part.get_payload()) for part in payload])
conn = imaplib.IMAP4_SSL("imap.gmail.com", 993)
conn.login("user", "password")
conn.select()
typ, data = conn.search(None, 'UNSEEN')
try:
for num in data[0].split():
typ, msg_data = conn.fetch(num, '(RFC822)')
for response_part in msg_data:
if isinstance(response_part, tuple):
msg = email.message_from_string(response_part[1])
subject=msg['subject']
print(subject)
payload=msg.get_payload()
body=extract_body(payload)
print(body)
typ, response = conn.store(num, '+FLAGS', r'(\Seen)')
finally:
try:
conn.close()
except:
pass
conn.logout()
Much of the code above comes from Doug Hellmann's tutorial on imaplib.
Use one of the many C# IMAP libraries.
Note that there are some differences between Gmail-IMAP and IMAPA. For example, due to the fact that Gmail treats folders like labels, the code like the one below doesn't delete message if it's tagged with some other folder:
imap_instance.uid('store', uid, '+FLAGS', '\\Deleted')
imap_instance.expunge()
I know this is an old post but I wanted to add the following link to the Open Source ImapX 2 Library discussion: https://imapx.codeplex.com/ the developers seem to be keeping the project up to date. Great job to those all involved
Google has opened it's Gmail API for accessing your gmail account. You can check a quickstart sample with the basic functionalities at this link:
https://developers.google.com/gmail/api/quickstart/python
from imap_tools import MailBox, Q
# This prints the subject and body of unseen messages, and marks those messages as seen.
with MailBox('imap.mail.com').login('test#mail.com', 'password') as mailbox:
# *mark_seen param = True by default
print([(m.subject, m.html or m.text) for m in mailbox.fetch(Q(seen=False), mark_seen=True)])
imap_tools
Does anyone know a way to execute a bulk dump of every email of a gmail account and write the emails to a file?
I'm looking to write a program that would let users back up there gmail (probably via imap) and back it up to either individual files or as a pst (I know pst will probably be much harder)
some time ago I wrote a blog post about exactly same topic. See HOWTO: Download emails from a GMail account in C# for details.
Code uses our Rebex Mail component:
using Rebex.Mail;
using Rebex.Net;
...
// create the POP3 client
Pop3 client = new Pop3();
try
{
// Connect securely using explicit SSL.
// Use the third argument to specify additional SSL parameters.
Console.WriteLine("Connecting to the POP3 server...");
client.Connect("pop.gmail.com", 995, null, Pop3Security.Implicit);
// login and password
client.Login(email, password);
// get the number of messages
Console.WriteLine("{0} messages found.", client.GetMessageCount());
// -----------------
// list messages
// -----------------
// list all messages
ListPop3MessagesFast(client); // unique IDs and size only
//ListPop3MessagesFullHeaders(client); // full headers
}
finally
{
// leave the server alone
client.Disconnect();
}
public static void ListPop3MessagesFast(Pop3 client)
{
Console.WriteLine("Fetching message list...");
// let's download only what we can get fast
Pop3MessageCollection messages =
client.GetMessageList(Pop3ListFields.Fast);
// display basic info about each message
Console.WriteLine("UID | Sequence number | Length");
foreach (Pop3MessageInfo messageInfo in messages)
{
// display header info
Console.WriteLine
(
"{0} | {1} | {2} ",
messageInfo.UniqueId,
messageInfo.SequenceNumber,
messageInfo.Length
);
// or download the whole message
MailMessage mailMessage = client.GetMailMessage(messageInfo.SequenceNumber);
}
}
Gmail provides POP access. So just use any library that allows you to communicate using POP and you're golden.
Edit: I just noticed that you mentioned IMAP; I recommend you use POP instead for bulk dumps. IMAP is too chatty for what you want to do.
If you must use IMAP, here's a library for you.
You can use fetchmail from a Unix environment to create an mbox file.
http://lifehacker.com/software/gmail/geek-to-live--back-up-gmail-with-fetchmail-235207.php
There is an open-source Python program compiled to Windows (using py2exe) at
https://github.com/jay0lee/got-your-back/wiki
But Mac users would need to compile it (which I haven't completely figured out due to a py2exe error).
Either way, you also need a way to execute the program automatically in a schedule.
The use case is simple. At a certain point of time, I need to be able to show the user his familiar compose email dialog (Outlook or other) with
fields like from, to, Subject already filled up with certain application determined values.
The email would also have an attachment along with it.
The mail should not be sent unless the user explicitly okays it.
I did this once back in the ol' VB6 days.. can't figure out how now.. I just remember that it was quite easy.
Managed app, C#, .net 3.0+
Update#1: Yeah seems like mailto removed support for attachments (as a security risk?). I tried
You need to include ShellExecute signature as described here. All I got from this was a 5 SE_ERR_ACCESSDENIED and a 2 just for some variety
string sMailToLink = #"mailto:some.address#gmail.com?subject=Hey&body= yeah yeah yeah";
IntPtr result = ShellExecute(IntPtr.Zero, "open", sMailToLink, "", "", ShowCommands.SW_SHOWNORMAL);
Debug.Assert(result.ToInt32() > 32, "Shell Execute failed with return code " + result.ToInt32());
The same MailtoLink works perfectly with Process.Start... but as long as thou shalt not mention attachments.
System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(sMailToLink);
The other options are using the Outlook Object model to do this.. but I've been told that this requires you to add assembly references based to the exact version of Outlook installed. Also this would blow up if the user doesn't prefer MS for email.
The next option are Mapi and something called Mapi33.. Status still IN PROGRESS. Ears still open to suggestions.
You can create a process object and have it call "mailto:user#example.com?subject=My+New+Subject". This will cause the system to act on the mailto with its default handler, however, while you can set subjects and such this wont handle adding an attachment. I'll freely admit im not entirely sure how you'd go about forcing an attachment without writing some mail plugin.
The process code is:
System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("mailto:user#example.com?subject=My+New+Subject");
It's probably not the most efficient or elegant way, but shelling a "mailto:" link will do what you want, I think.
EDIT: Sorry, left out a very important "not".
Since mailto does not support attachments, and since MAPI is not supported within managed code, your best bet is to write (or have someone write) a small non-managed program to call MAPI functions that you can call with command-line arguments. Pity that .NET does not have a cleaner alternative.
See also : MAPI and managed code experiences?
Could it be that you used the mailto: protocol?
Almost all of what you highlight can be done, but I am quite sure, that you cant do attachments.
Microsoft MailTo Documentation
Starting process with mailto: arguments is the simplest approach. Yet, it does not allow anything more or less complex.
Slightly different approach involves creating email template and then feeding it to the Process.Start:
var client = new SmtpClient();
var folder = new RandomTempFolder();
client.DeliveryMethod =
SmtpDeliveryMethod.SpecifiedPickupDirectory;
client.PickupDirectoryLocation = folder.FullName;
var message = new MailMessage("to#no.net",
"from#no.net", "Subject","Hi and bye");
// add attachments here, if needed
// need this to open email in Edit mode in OE
message.Headers.Add("X-Unsent", "1");
client.Send(message);
var files = folder.GetFiles();
Process.Start(files[0].FullName);
Scenarios for the default email handler:
Outlook express opens
Windows: Outlook - does not handle by default, Outlook Express is called instead
Windows: The Bat! - message is opened for viewing, hit Shift-F6 and Enter to send
I've also tested with Mono and it worked more or less.
Additional details are available in this post: Information integration - simplest approach for templated emails
PS: in the end I went for slightly more complex scenario:
Defined interface IEmailIntegraton
Code above went into the DefaultEmailIntegration
Added implementations for OutlookEmailIntegration (automation) and theBat! email integration (using their template format).
Allowed users of the SmartClient to select their scenario from the drop-down (alternatively this could've been implemented as "Check the system for the default email handler and decide automatically")
You're making the assumption that they will have an email client installed, of course.
The option I've taken in the past (in a corporate environment where everyone has at least one version of Outlook installed) was to use the Outlook interop - you only need to reference the earliest version you need to support.
You could look at P/Invoking MAPISendDocuments (which I'd try and avoid, personally), or the other option would be to create your own "compose" form and use the objects from the System.Net.Mail namespace.
you can use a trick if you intend to use Outlook[this code is based on outlook 2010[v14.0.0.]]
Create Outlook MailItem
and transmit file (ie download)
if user opens the file (.msg) the compose message dialog opens automatically
here is the code ...
Microsoft.Office.Interop.Outlook.Application outapp = new Application();
try
{
_NameSpace np = outapp.GetNamespace("MAPI");
MailItem oMsg = (MailItem)outapp.CreateItem(OlItemType.olMailItem);
oMsg.To = "a#b.com";
oMsg.Subject = "Subject";
//add detail
oMsg.SaveAs("C:\\Doc.msg", OlSaveAsType.olMSGUnicode);//your path
oMsg.Close(OlInspectorClose.olSave);
}
catch (System.Exception e)
{
status = false;
}
finally
{
outapp.Quit();
}
then transmit the file you created say "Doc.msg"
string filename ="Doc.msg";//file name created previously
path = "C:\\" + filename; //full path ;
Response.ContentType="application/outlook";
Response.AppendHeader("Content-Disposition", "filename=\"" + filename + "\"");
FileInfo fl = new FileInfo(path);
Response.AddHeader("Content-Length", fl.Length.ToString());
Response.TransmitFile(path,0,fl.Length);
Response.End();