Fetchmail
 Screenshot of fetchmail launcher | |
| Original author(s) | Eric S. Raymond |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 6.4.20[1]
/ July 28, 2021 |
| Preview release | 6.5.0-beta3
/ April 24, 2021 |
| Repository | |
| Operating system | Unix-like |
| Type | Mail delivery agent |
| License | GNU General Public License |
| Website | www |
Fetchmail is an open-source software utility for POSIX-compliant operating systems which is used to retrieve e-mail from a remote POP3, IMAP, or ODMR mail server to the user's local system. It was developed from the popclient program, written by Carl Harris.[2]
Its chief significance is perhaps that its author, Eric S. Raymond, used it as a model to discuss his theories of open-source software development in a widely read and influential essay on software development methodologies The Cathedral and the Bazaar.
Design[]
By design, Fetchmail's only means of delivering messages is by submitting them to the local MTA/Message transfer agent or invoking a mail delivery agent[3] like procmail, maildrop, or sendmail; delivering directly to mail folders such as maildir is not supported.
Dan Bernstein, getmail creator Charles Cazabon and FreeBSD developer Terry Lambert, have criticized Fetchmail's design,[4] its number of security holes,[5] and that it was prematurely put into "maintenance mode". In 2004, a new team of maintainers took over Fetchmail development,[6] and laid out development plans that broke with design decisions that Eric Raymond had made in earlier versions.[7]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Andree, Matthias. "RELEASE_6-4-20". Retrieved 2021-08-02 – via GitLab.
- ^ Raymond, Eric. "Eric S. Raymond's former Design Notes On Fetchmail". Retrieved 2007-04-03.
- ^ "...or into an MDA program...", Section G1, The Fetchmail FAQ.
- ^ Lambert, Terry. "UUCP must stay; fetchmail sucks (was list 'o things)". Retrieved 2007-04-05.
- ^ Cazabon, Charles. "getmail frequently asked questions". Retrieved 2007-04-05.
- ^ "Developer History". Retrieved 2007-04-05.
- ^ "Design Notes On Fetchmail". Retrieved 2007-04-05.
External links[]
- Free email software
- Mail delivery agents
- Network software stubs