shell script to delete alla messages from pop3 server?

acidrop · 05-15-2012, 12:15 PM

Hello

I am looking for a shell script to totally remove (empty) all messages from
a specific account on a pop3 mail server.
Tried this one but it didn't work.

Any suggestions?

pan64 · 05-15-2012, 01:11 PM

if you know user/pass you can log in and delete all.
What is the problem with that solution?

acidrop · 05-15-2012, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan64

if you know user/pass you can log in and delete all.
What is the problem with that solution?

there are more than 56000 mails... can i delete them at once via telnet??

pan64 · 05-15-2012, 01:24 PM

as you see the script deletes messages one by one. If you have time it will do the job. In GUI probably you can mark 20 or 50 in one and delete them. Optionally you can delete user account and create it again. I do not see any way to execute a "delete-all" command. If there was a such command the mail server provider would help you.

acidrop · 05-15-2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan64

as you see the script deletes messages one by one. If you have time it will do the job. In GUI probably you can mark 20 or 50 in one and delete them. Optionally you can delete user account and create it again. I do not see any way to execute a "delete-all" command. If there was a such command the mail server provider would help you.

tried the script but i get:

+OK Send your password
+OK Mailbox locked and ready
./clean.pop3: 11: Syntax error: Bad for loop variable
Connection closed by foreign host.

I use the following syntax: ./clean.pop3 1000 | telnet pop3sever 110

273 · 05-15-2012, 01:30 PM

I think this is what "expect" is for but I've never used it myself so can't be any help other than to say google it, sorry.
Edit: Did you try hard coding the "1000" into the script rather than entering it on the command line?

acidrop · 05-15-2012, 01:37 PM

Did you try hard coding the "1000" into the script rather than entering it on the command line?

do you know how can i do that? i don't have scripting knowledge...

pan64 · 05-15-2012, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acidrop

tried the script but i get:

+OK Send your password
+OK Mailbox locked and ready
./clean.pop3: 11: Syntax error: Bad for loop variable
Connection closed by foreign host.

I use the following syntax: ./clean.pop3 1000 | telnet pop3sever 110

probably you need to try #!/bin/bash in the first line

acidrop · 05-15-2012, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan64

probably you need to try #!/bin/bash in the first line

thank you!!!! that worked... thank you very much

273 · 05-15-2012, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan64

probably you need to try #!/bin/bash in the first line

I feel stupid now, I didn't even look at the top of the script.

pan64 · 05-15-2012, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 273

I feel stupid now, I didn't even look at the top of the script.

you have learned a lesson now.

Happy with solution ... mark as SOLVED

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