Fetchmail is an open-source software utility for POSIX-compliant operating systems which is used to retrieve e-mail from a remote POP3, IMAP, or ODMR mail server to the user's local system. It was developed from the popclient program, written by Carl Harris.[2]
| Fetchmail | |
|---|---|
 Screenshot of fetchmail launcher | |
| Original author | Eric S. Raymond |
| Stable release | 6.6.1[1] 
/ 12 November 2025 |
| Repository | |
| Operating system | Unix-like |
| Type | Mail delivery agent |
| License | GNU General Public License |
| Website | www |
Its chief significance is perhaps that its author, Eric S. Raymond, used it as a model to discuss his theories of open-source software development in a widely read and influential essay on software development methodologies The Cathedral and the Bazaar.
Design
editBy design, Fetchmail's only means of delivering messages is by submitting them to the local MTA/Message transfer agent or invoking a mail delivery agent[3] like procmail, maildrop, or sendmail; delivering directly to mail folders such as maildir is not supported.
It is a C program evolved by gradual mutation from an ancestor already written in C.[4]
Dan Bernstein, getmail creator Charles Cazabon and FreeBSD developer Terry Lambert, have criticized Fetchmail's design,[5] its number of security holes,[6] and that it was prematurely put into "maintenance mode". In 2004, a new team of maintainers took over Fetchmail development,[7] and laid out development plans that broke with design decisions that Eric Raymond had made in earlier versions.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Matthias Andree (12 November 2025). "The 6.6.1 release of fetchmail is available (translation updates for Spanish, Serbian)". Fetchmail-announce. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ Raymond, Eric. "Eric S. Raymond's former Design Notes On Fetchmail". Retrieved 2007-04-03.
- ^ "...or into an MDA program...", Section G1, The Fetchmail FAQ.
- ^ Richardson, Anthony (2004). "An Online Unix System Programming Course For Computer Engineering Students". 2004 Annual Conference Proceedings. ASEE Conferences: 9.197.1–9.197.10. doi:10.18260/1-2--13866.
- ^ Lambert, Terry. "UUCP must stay; fetchmail sucks (was list 'o things)". Retrieved 2007-04-05.
- ^ Cazabon, Charles. "getmail frequently asked questions". Retrieved 2007-04-05.
- ^ "Developer History". Retrieved 2007-04-05.
- ^ "Design Notes On Fetchmail". Retrieved 2007-04-05.
