Connecting to Mail's SQLite database

[markashley]

If I understand correctly, Mail.app uses an SQLite database to store messages. Is it possible to connect to this database using an application other than Mail? I want to write a PHP script to access the mailbox.

Thanks
Mark

[blb]

I don't believe the text of messages is stored in the sqlite DB, but other data (subject, sender, recipient, etc) are. The DB is in the file ~/Library/Mail/Envelope Index, and the sqlite3 command can view it:

$ sqlite3 /Users/blb/Library/Mail/Envelope\ Index 
SQLite version 3.1.3
Enter ".help" for instructions
sqlite> .schema
CREATE TABLE addresses (ROWID INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, address, comment, UNIQUE(address, comment));
...
sqlite> select count(*) from messages;
41492

I suggest you not do any changes unless you've made a backup and don't currently have Mail running...