Mailer daemon wikidictionary

A fascinating topic!

According to Wiktionary, a Mailer Daemon is a computer program that is responsible for sending and receiving email messages on behalf of a mail server. It is also known as a Mail Delivery Agent (MDA) or a Mail Transfer Agent (MTA).

Here's a breakdown of the term:

• "Mailer" refers to the program or software that is responsible for sending and receiving email messages.
• "Daemon" is a term that comes from Greek mythology, where it referred to a servant or a spirit that carried out tasks for the gods. In computing, a daemon is a program that runs in the background, performing tasks without direct user interaction.

In the context of email, a Mailer Daemon is a program that:

1. Receives email messages from a mail user agent (MUA) or another mail server.
2. Stores the messages in a mail queue.
3. Retrieves messages from the queue and sends them to their intended recipients.
4. Delivers messages to the recipient's mail server or mailbox.

Mailer Daemons are responsible for ensuring that email messages are delivered correctly and efficiently. They can also perform tasks such as:

• Filtering out spam and junk mail
• Scanning for viruses and malware
• Validating email addresses
• Handling bounced or undeliverable messages

Some common Mailer Daemons include:

• Sendmail
• Postfix
• Exim
• Qmail
• Microsoft Exchange

In summary, a Mailer Daemon is a critical component of the email infrastructure, responsible for sending and receiving email messages on behalf of a mail server.