javax.mail (Java EE 5)

Java EE API


Package javax.mail

The JavaMailTM API provides classes that model a mail system.

See:           Description

Interface Summary
 

Class Summary
 

Exception Summary
 

Package javax.mail Description

The JavaMailTM API provides classes that model a mail system. The javax.mail package defines classes that are common to all mail systems. The javax.mail.internet package defines classes that are specific to mail systems based on internet standards such as MIME, SMTP, POP3, and IMAP. The JavaMail API includes the javax.mail package and subpackages.

For an overview of the JavaMail API, read the JavaMail specification included in the download bundle or available on the JavaMail web site.

The code to send a plain text message can be as simple as the following:

    Properties props = new Properties();
    props.put("mail.smtp.host", "my-mail-server");
    props.put("mail.from", "[email protected]");
    Session session = Session.getInstance(props, null);

    try {
        MimeMessage msg = new MimeMessage(session);
        msg.setFrom();
        msg.setRecipients(Message.RecipientType.TO,
                          "[email protected]");
        msg.setSubject("JavaMail hello world example");
        msg.setSentDate(new Date());
        msg.setText("Hello, world!\n");
        Transport.send(msg);
    } catch (MessagingException mex) {
        System.out.println("send failed, exception: " + mex);
    }
The JavaMail download bundle contains many more complete examples in the "demo" directory.

Don't forget to see the JavaMail API FAQ for answers to the most common questions. The JavaMail web site contains many additional resources.

The JavaMail API supports the following standard properties, which may be set in the Session object, or in the Properties object used to create the Session object. The properties are always set as strings; the Type column describes how the string is interpreted. For example, use

        props.put("mail.debug", "true");
to set the mail.debug property, which is of type boolean.

Name Type Description

The JavaMail API also supports several System properties; see the javax.mail.internet package documentation for details.

The JavaMail reference implementation from Sun includes protocol providers in subpackages of com.sun.mail. Note that the APIs to these protocol providers are not part of the standard JavaMail API. Portable programs will not use these APIs.

Nonportable programs may use the APIs of the Sun protocol providers by (for example) casting a returned Folder object to a com.sun.mail.imap.IMAPFolder object. Similarly for Store and Message objects returned from the standard JavaMail APIs.

The Sun protocol providers also support properties that are specific to those providers. The package documentation for the IMAP, POP3, and SMTP packages provide details.



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Copyright 2007 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All rights reserved. Use is subject to license terms.