DataFlex

Get IMAP Message Threads as JSON

Demonstrates the Chilkat Imap.QueryThread method, which sends the IMAP THREAD command for the selected mailbox and returns the thread hierarchy as JSON. The first argument is the threading algorithm (commonly REFERENCES or ORDEREDSUBJECT), the second is IMAP search criteria, and the third (bUid) selects UID vs sequence-number identifiers. The returned JSON has a top-level threads array whose nested arrays encode parent/child relationships. This example threads all messages in the Inbox.

Tip: JSON parsing code for this result can be generated at Chilkat Tools.

Background: "Conversation view" in a mail client — grouping a message with its replies and follow-ups — is exactly what the IMAP THREAD extension provides, computed on the server. REFERENCES threads by the References/In-Reply-To headers (the accurate way), while ORDEREDSUBJECT groups by subject. Not all servers support THREAD, so check HasCapability for it first.

Chilkat DataFlex Downloads

Download Chilkat for DataFlex

DataFlex

Use ChilkatAx-win32.pkg

Procedure Test
    Boolean iSuccess
    Handle hoImap
    Variant vJson
    Handle hoJson
    String sTemp1

    Move False To iSuccess

    //  Demonstrates the Imap.QueryThread method, which sends the IMAP THREAD command for the
    //  selected mailbox and returns the thread hierarchy as JSON.  The 1st argument is the
    //  threading algorithm (such as REFERENCES or ORDEREDSUBJECT), the 2nd is IMAP search
    //  criteria, and the 3rd (bUid) selects UID vs sequence-number identifiers.

    Get Create (RefClass(cComChilkatImap)) To hoImap
    If (Not(IsComObjectCreated(hoImap))) Begin
        Send CreateComObject of hoImap
    End

    Set ComSsl Of hoImap To True
    Set ComPort Of hoImap To 993

    Get ComConnect Of hoImap "imap.example.com" To iSuccess
    If (iSuccess = False) Begin
        Get ComLastErrorText Of hoImap To sTemp1
        Showln sTemp1
        Procedure_Return
    End

    Get ComLogin Of hoImap "user@example.com" "myPassword" To iSuccess
    If (iSuccess = False) Begin
        Get ComLastErrorText Of hoImap To sTemp1
        Showln sTemp1
        Procedure_Return
    End

    Get ComSelectMailbox Of hoImap "Inbox" To iSuccess
    If (iSuccess = False) Begin
        Get ComLastErrorText Of hoImap To sTemp1
        Showln sTemp1
        Procedure_Return
    End

    //  Group all messages into threads using the REFERENCES algorithm, returning UIDs.
    Get Create (RefClass(cComChilkatJsonObject)) To hoJson
    If (Not(IsComObjectCreated(hoJson))) Begin
        Send CreateComObject of hoJson
    End
    Get pvComObject of hoJson to vJson
    Get ComQueryThread Of hoImap "REFERENCES" "ALL" True vJson To iSuccess
    If (iSuccess = False) Begin
        Get ComLastErrorText Of hoImap To sTemp1
        Showln sTemp1
        Procedure_Return
    End

    Set ComEmitCompact Of hoJson To False
    Get ComEmit Of hoJson To sTemp1
    Showln sTemp1

    //  JSON parsing code for this result can be generated at Chilkat's online tool:
    //  https://tools.chilkat.io/jsonParse

    Get ComDisconnect Of hoImap To iSuccess
    If (iSuccess = False) Begin
        Get ComLastErrorText Of hoImap To sTemp1
        Showln sTemp1
        Procedure_Return
    End



End_Procedure