Question

i have to create a simple script which retrieves the mails from gmail account and then shows it to the user when user name and pass are supplied, the problem is am neither aware of gmail api and nor i know where to download it. i can’t use any non official api, every help will be appreciated

edit:
i have to use php, just forgot to mention that btw i have found a solution here
http://petewarden.typepad.com/searchbrowser/2008/03/how-to-use-imap.html
there are still two problems here, that it is very slow and it retrieves the oldest first, can some one provide me with a solution for that or point me with any link?
i am noob

Answer 1

According to http://code.google.com/apis/gmail/

Gmail supports the standard IMAP and SMTP protocols for accessing and
sending e-mail messages. The Gmail IMAP and SMTP servers have been
extended to support authorization via the industry-standard OAuth
protocol.

http://code.google.com/apis/gmail/oauth/