PHP ActiveX

Start IMAP IDLE to Monitor a Mailbox

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.

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<?php

$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.

$imap = new COM("Chilkat.Imap");

$imap->Ssl = 1;
$imap->Port = 993;

$success = $imap->Connect('imap.example.com');
if ($success == 0) {
    print $imap->LastErrorText . "\n";
    exit;
}

$success = $imap->Login('user@example.com','myPassword');
if ($success == 0) {
    print $imap->LastErrorText . "\n";
    exit;
}

$success = $imap->SelectMailbox('Inbox');
if ($success == 0) {
    print $imap->LastErrorText . "\n";
    exit;
}

//  Enter IDLE mode to monitor the mailbox for changes (new mail, deletions, flag changes).
$success = $imap->IdleStart();
if ($success == 0) {
    print $imap->LastErrorText . "\n";
    exit;
}

print 'IDLE mode started.' . "\n";

//  While IDLE is active, no other IMAP command may be sent.  End IDLE before doing more work.
$success = $imap->IdleDone();
if ($success == 0) {
    print $imap->LastErrorText . "\n";
    exit;
}

$success = $imap->Disconnect();
if ($success == 0) {
    print $imap->LastErrorText . "\n";
    exit;
}


?>