What is the primary purpose of the IMAP4 protocol?

The primary purpose of the IMAP4 protocol is to manage emails on a server. IMAP, which stands for Internet Message Access Protocol, allows users to access their email messages directly from the mail server without having to download them to their local device. This means that the emails remain stored on the server, enabling users to view, organize, and manage their emails from multiple devices while ensuring sync across all of them.

IMAP4 supports features like folder manipulation, message flagging, and searching, which enhance users' ability to manage their email efficiently. This contrasts with protocols like SMTP, which is used specifically for sending emails, and file storage protocols, which are designed for managing files rather than email. Additionally, the creation of websites is beyond the functionality of IMAP4, solidifying its specific purpose related to email management.