Question

We need Smtp protocol because we want to send emails to another servers. But why we need pop3 or Imap protocols to write mail servers? If i store messages in my server, can't i directly access to messages? When user wants to download last 3 messages, i'll take them from Database and send to user. Where is my mistake?

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Solution

But why we need pop3 or Imap protocols to write mail servers?

They provide a standard way for a mail client to fetch mail from a mailbox over a network.

If i store messages in my server, can't i directly access to messages?

Certainly. I do this all the time. My mail server stores messages in the standard Maildir format, and I read from there using a console mail client after logging in using SSH.

When user wants to download last 3 messages, i'll take them from Database and send to user.

How will the user tell you that they want to download messages? How will you send them the messages when they do? The usual methods are IMAP and POP.

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