History of FakeSMTPServer

FakeSMTPServer didn't start as a "project" at all. Instead, it started to scratch an itch. I'd been working as for a software company called Project.net when I got frustrated. This software, like many web apps these days, required a unique email address for each user that was registered in the system.

This, of course, is great for the first user. You have an email address and you use it. What happens when you need a second, third, or 900th email address? You have a few options. First, you can set up an email server so that you can create a ton of users. Second, you can build something into your server so it will ignore it.

I could have chosen option number two, but I didn't really have enough time. At the time, the one luxury I didn't have was time. So, I sought a solution that I could build after hours that would solve the problem.

I decided to write a Fake SMTP Server that evening that would suit my needs. It would accept email for any user, but it would never deliver it. Also, I could see the emails so I could pick up verification codes that I needed to register my fake users.

I had written all of the code in my free time, so I decided that there was no reason why I shouldn't share the code with anyone else who writes internet sites with these requirements.

FakeSMTPServer isn't a work of art, but hopefully it can solve a problem for you. If you think you have a good idea for FakeSMTPServer, make a suggestion. I'm always happy to implement a good idea.