Sample code for 30+ languages & platforms
Classic ASP

Start IMAP IDLE to Monitor a Mailbox

See more IMAP Examples

Demonstrates the Chilkat Imap.IdleStart method, which sends the IMAP IDLE command to begin listening for unsolicited mailbox updates. It takes no arguments. A mailbox must first be selected, and the server must advertise the IDLE capability.

Background: IDLE is IMAP's push mechanism: instead of polling for new mail, the client tells the server "notify me when something changes," and the server pushes updates as they happen. This is what enables near-instant new-mail alerts. While IDLE is active, no other IMAP command may be sent on that connection — call IdleDone to leave IDLE before issuing other commands.

Chilkat Classic ASP Downloads

Classic ASP
<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
</head>
<body>
<%
success = 0

'  Demonstrates the Imap.IdleStart method, which sends the IMAP IDLE command to begin listening
'  for unsolicited mailbox updates.  It takes no arguments.  A mailbox must be selected and the
'  server must advertise the IDLE capability.

set imap = Server.CreateObject("Chilkat.Imap")

imap.Ssl = 1
imap.Port = 993

success = imap.Connect("imap.example.com")
If (success = 0) Then
    Response.Write "<pre>" & Server.HTMLEncode( imap.LastErrorText) & "</pre>"
    Response.End
End If

success = imap.Login("user@example.com","myPassword")
If (success = 0) Then
    Response.Write "<pre>" & Server.HTMLEncode( imap.LastErrorText) & "</pre>"
    Response.End
End If

success = imap.SelectMailbox("Inbox")
If (success = 0) Then
    Response.Write "<pre>" & Server.HTMLEncode( imap.LastErrorText) & "</pre>"
    Response.End
End If

'  Enter IDLE mode to monitor the mailbox for changes (new mail, deletions, flag changes).
success = imap.IdleStart()
If (success = 0) Then
    Response.Write "<pre>" & Server.HTMLEncode( imap.LastErrorText) & "</pre>"
    Response.End
End If

Response.Write "<pre>" & Server.HTMLEncode( "IDLE mode started.") & "</pre>"

'  While IDLE is active, no other IMAP command may be sent.  End IDLE before doing more work.
success = imap.IdleDone()
If (success = 0) Then
    Response.Write "<pre>" & Server.HTMLEncode( imap.LastErrorText) & "</pre>"
    Response.End
End If

success = imap.Disconnect()
If (success = 0) Then
    Response.Write "<pre>" & Server.HTMLEncode( imap.LastErrorText) & "</pre>"
    Response.End
End If


%>
</body>
</html>