733785 - When renaming an Imap folder using "/" character it returns error "The "/" character is reserved on this IMAP server. Please choose another name"

Status: RESOLVED INVALID

(MailNews Core :: Networking: IMAP, defect)

Description

[emulator]

Attachment: ErrorRename.JPG

User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:10.0.2) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/10.0.2
Build ID: 20120215223356

Steps to reproduce:

On Thunderbird 10.0.2 Select a subfolder on a Exchage 2007 Imap account, rename it and add a "/" character to the new name in any position you want. 


Actual results:

returns error  "The "/" character is reserved on this IMAP server. Please choose another name"


Expected results:

The rename should be sucessfull

Comment 1

[rsx11m]

That message just indicates that '/' is the hierarchy delimiter on the server you are connecting to, as far as IMAP is concerned (and that's usually the default). Thus, you can't use it for a folder name for the same reason that Windows won't allow you to use '/' or '\' and certain other characters in a file name either.

It may be possible to use some escape encoding for that purpose, but I can't find anything in RFC 3501 indicating base64 encoding for that purpose.

Comment 2

[WADA:World Anti-bad-Duping Agency]

"/" is also hierarchy delimiter of IMAP folder in Tb.

When user requests creation of X/Y folder,
- If hierarchy delimiter on the server = "/",
  Tb requests "create X/Y" to server.
- If hierarchy delimiter on the server = non "/" ("." usually)",
  Tb requests "create X.Y" to server.
In both cases, X is created as \Noselect folder at server(shown in grayed-out at folder pane) and Y is created as sub folder of parent folder of X.

When user requests rename of A to X/Y,
- If hierarchy delimiter on the server = "/",
  Tb rejects it with "The / character is reserved on this IMAP server",
  because rename to X/Y is impossible.
- If hierarchy delimiter on the server = non "/" ("." usually),
  Tb requests "rename INBOX.A INBOX.X/Y" to server. (namespace="INBOX." example)
  - If IMAP server doesn't support "/" in IMAP Mbox name,
    IMAP server rejects it with "Invalid Mbox name".
    This usually occurs when Unix server, because "/" is file path delimiter.
  - If IMAP server supports "/" in IMAP Mbox name,
    IMAP Mbox named INBOX.X/Y is created at IMAP server.
    Tb perhaps uses hashed file name for mail folder file(X6520b6b7.msf if X/Y).
    However, something wrong may occur due to "/" in internal imap:// url.
I don't know about MS Exchange on MS Windows.
Even if "/" is reserved for switch in Command Prompt of MS Win, modern file system of MS Win supports any unicode file name. It depends on IMAP software used at server.

(In reply to emulator from comment #0)
> Expected results:
> The rename should be sucessfull

To bug opener, what is your base of "should"?
Does you IMAP server support "/" in IMAP Mbox name?
Does Tb reject rename to "IMAP Mbox name with /" even though your IMAP server support "IMAP Mbox name with /"?

Or you are requesting "create X" as parent folder followed by "rename A X/Y" when you request "rename of A to X/Y"?

Comment 3

[WADA:World Anti-bad-Duping Agency]

(In reply to rsx11m from comment #1)
> It may be possible to use some escape encoding for that purpose, but I can't
> find anything in RFC 3501 indicating base64 encoding for that purpose.

IMAP Mmox name is transfered in "modified UTF-7", unless IMAP server sends Mbox name in 8-bits data.
> http://www.fetchmail.info/Mailbox-Names-UTF7.html

Comment 4

[emulator]

The base of should is that using Exchange Mapi i dont have any problems using that char when creating a dir. And if someone for example has a folder with the "/" char in Exchange, Thunderbird will never download that folder. Thus, you have two problems, you cant rename a folder with the "/" char, and you IMAP will not download a folder previously renamed in exchange with the "/" char. I didnt knew this issue. Common users who use Exchange Imap and dont know this issue will be seriously affected if they have lots of folders with this char

Comment 5

[emulator]

Sorry for this bug report, i just tested the imap account in a Outlook 2010 client, and the problem is the same, so it is not a Thunderbird Issue, its an IMAP issue. I guess the bug can be closed.

Comment 6

[WADA:World Anti-bad-Duping Agency]

Closing as INVALID per comment #5.

If namespace="INBOX."(delimiter=".") and surver supports "/" in Mbox name, Mbox like "INBOX.X/Y.ABC"(ABC under X/Y under INBOX) can happen. If this case actually occurs, open new bug for it, please.