lammert - 11:21 am on Aug 5, 2010 (gmt 0)

IMAP is a client server type of protocol where emails can stay on the server and are only transferred to the client when needed, or where emails can be downloaded to the client and deleted from the server afterwards. It can also copy, move and delete messages directly on the server side with commands issued from the client. It all depends on the functionality which has been implemented in the client application.