Package javax.mail

Class Authenticator

java.lang.Object
javax.mail.Authenticator
Direct Known Subclasses:
DefaultAuthenticator, LoginAuthenticator

public abstract class Authenticator extends Object
The class Authenticator represents an object that knows how to obtain authentication for a network connection. Usually, it will do this by prompting the user for information.

Applications use this class by creating a subclass, and registering an instance of that subclass with the session when it is created. When authentication is required, the system will invoke a method on the subclass (like getPasswordAuthentication). The subclass's method can query about the authentication being requested with a number of inherited methods (getRequestingXXX()), and form an appropriate message for the user.

All methods that request authentication have a default implementation that fails.

See Also:
  • Constructor Details

    • Authenticator

      public Authenticator()