SMTP Server
An SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) server is a software application or service that handles the sending, relaying, and routing of email messages over the internet using the SMTP protocol. It acts as a mail transfer agent, communicating with other SMTP servers to deliver emails from senders to recipients' mail servers. Developers interact with SMTP servers programmatically to integrate email functionality into applications, such as sending notifications, transactional emails, or newsletters.
Developers should learn and use SMTP servers when building applications that require email capabilities, such as user registration confirmations, password resets, marketing campaigns, or automated alerts. It's essential for ensuring reliable email delivery, handling bounce-backs, and managing email queues in production environments. Knowledge of SMTP is also crucial for debugging email-related issues and configuring secure authentication methods like SMTP AUTH or TLS.