What type of connection does IMAP4 typically use?

IMAP4, or Internet Message Access Protocol version 4, is designed for retrieving email from a mail server. It operates over a network, typically using the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) to facilitate communication between email clients and servers. The primary function of IMAP4 is to allow users to access and manage their emails while keeping them stored on the mail server. This means that the connection is inherently a network connection, as it relies on the infrastructure of the Internet or a local area network (LAN) to connect the email client with the server.

Unlike a printer connection, serial connection, or direct phone line, which each serve different purposes—such as connecting peripherals or enabling direct communication—IMAP4 requires a stable network connection to function properly, ensuring that users can synchronize emails and manage their inboxes effectively from different devices. This makes the concept of a network connection fundamental to IMAP4's design and utilization.