Mail fetch or push
In the context of email, "fetch" and "push" refer to two different methods of retrieving and sending emails between a mail client and a mail server.
Fetch:
In a fetch operation, the mail client initiates a request to the mail server to retrieve a specific set of emails. The client specifies the criteria for the emails it wants to retrieve, such as the sender, recipient, subject, or date range. The mail server then sends the requested emails back to the client, which stores them locally.
Fetch is typically used in situations where the client wants to retrieve a specific set of emails, such as:
- Checking for new emails in a specific folder
- Retrieving emails from a specific sender or recipient
- Downloading emails from a specific date range
Push:
In a push operation, the mail server initiates a request to the mail client to send emails to the client. The server sends a list of emails that the client needs to retrieve, and the client downloads them from the server. Push is typically used in situations where the server wants to notify the client of new emails, such as:
- Notifying the client of new emails in the inbox
- Sending emails to the client as they arrive on the server
- Updating the client's email list with new emails
Comparison:
Fetch and push operations have different use cases and implications:
- Fetch is typically used for ad-hoc requests, such as checking for new emails or retrieving specific emails.
- Push is typically used for continuous updates, such as keeping the client's email list up-to-date.
- Fetch can be more resource-intensive, as the client needs to initiate the request and retrieve the emails.
- Push can be more efficient, as the server initiates the request and sends the emails directly to the client.
In modern email clients, both fetch and push operations are often used in combination to provide a seamless email experience. For example, a client might use fetch to retrieve emails from a specific folder and then use push to receive new emails as they arrive on the server.