org.apache.commons.net.nntp

Class NNTP

public class NNTP extends SocketClient

The NNTP class is not meant to be used by itself and is provided only so that you may easily implement your own NNTP client if you so desire. If you have no need to perform your own implementation, you should use NNTPClient. The NNTP class is made public to provide access to various NNTP constants and to make it easier for adventurous programmers (or those with special needs) to interact with the NNTP protocol and implement their own clients. A set of methods with names corresponding to the NNTP command names are provided to facilitate this interaction.

You should keep in mind that the NNTP server may choose to prematurely close a connection if the client has been idle for longer than a given time period or if the server is being shutdown by the operator or some other reason. The NNTP class will detect a premature NNTP server connection closing when it receives a NNTPReply.SERVICE_DISCONTINUED response to a command. When that occurs, the NNTP class method encountering that reply will throw an NNTPConnectionClosedException . NNTPConectionClosedException is a subclass of IOException and therefore need not be caught separately, but if you are going to catch it separately, its catch block must appear before the more general IOException catch block. When you encounter an NNTPConnectionClosedException , you must disconnect the connection with disconnect() to properly clean up the system resources used by NNTP. Before disconnecting, you may check the last reply code and text with getReplyCode and getReplyString .

Rather than list it separately for each method, we mention here that every method communicating with the server and throwing an IOException can also throw a MalformedServerReplyException , which is a subclass of IOException. A MalformedServerReplyException will be thrown when the reply received from the server deviates enough from the protocol specification that it cannot be interpreted in a useful manner despite attempts to be as lenient as possible.

Author: Daniel F. Savarese Rory Winston Ted Wise

See Also: NNTPClient NNTPConnectionClosedException

Field Summary
static intDEFAULT_PORT
The default NNTP port.
protected ProtocolCommandSupport_commandSupport_
A ProtocolCommandSupport object used to manage the registering of ProtocolCommandListeners and te firing of ProtocolCommandEvents.
protected BufferedReader_reader_
Wraps _input_ to communicate with server.
protected BufferedWriter_writer_
Wraps _output_ to communicate with server.
Constructor Summary
NNTP()
The default NNTP constructor.
Method Summary
voidaddProtocolCommandListener(ProtocolCommandListener listener)
Adds a ProtocolCommandListener.
intarticle(String messageId)
A convenience method to send the NNTP ARTICLE command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.
intarticle(int articleNumber)
A convenience method to send the NNTP ARTICLE command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.
intarticle()
A convenience method to send the NNTP ARTICLE command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.
intauthinfoPass(String password)
A convenience method to send the AUTHINFO PASS command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.
intauthinfoUser(String username)
A convenience method to send the AUTHINFO USER command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.
intbody(String messageId)
A convenience method to send the NNTP BODY command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.
intbody(int articleNumber)
A convenience method to send the NNTP BODY command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.
intbody()
A convenience method to send the NNTP BODY command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.
voiddisconnect()
Closes the connection to the NNTP server and sets to null some internal data so that the memory may be reclaimed by the garbage collector.
intgetReply()
Fetches a reply from the NNTP server and returns the integer reply code.
intgetReplyCode()
Returns the integer value of the reply code of the last NNTP reply.
StringgetReplyString()
Returns the entire text of the last NNTP server response exactly as it was received, not including the end of line marker.
intgroup(String newsgroup)
A convenience method to send the NNTP GROUP command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.
inthead(String messageId)
A convenience method to send the NNTP HEAD command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.
inthead(int articleNumber)
A convenience method to send the NNTP HEAD command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.
inthead()
A convenience method to send the NNTP HEAD command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.
inthelp()
A convenience method to send the NNTP HELP command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.
intihave(String messageId)
A convenience method to send the NNTP IHAVE command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.
booleanisAllowedToPost()
Indicates whether or not the client is allowed to post articles to the server it is currently connected to.
intlast()
A convenience method to send the NNTP LAST command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.
intlist()
A convenience method to send the NNTP LIST command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.
intlistActive(String wildmat)
A convenience wrapper for the extended LIST command that takes an argument, allowing us to selectively list multiple groups.
intnewgroups(String date, String time, boolean GMT, String distributions)
A convenience method to send the NNTP NEWGROUPS command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.
intnewnews(String newsgroups, String date, String time, boolean GMT, String distributions)
A convenience method to send the NNTP NEWGROUPS command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.
intnext()
A convenience method to send the NNTP NEXT command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.
intpost()
A convenience method to send the NNTP POST command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.
intquit()
A convenience method to send the NNTP QUIT command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.
voidremoveProtocolCommandListener(ProtocolCommandListener listener)
Removes a ProtocolCommandListener.
intsendCommand(String command, String args)
Sends an NNTP command to the server, waits for a reply and returns the numerical response code.
intsendCommand(int command, String args)
Sends an NNTP command to the server, waits for a reply and returns the numerical response code.
intsendCommand(String command)
Sends an NNTP command with no arguments to the server, waits for a reply and returns the numerical response code.
intsendCommand(int command)
Sends an NNTP command with no arguments to the server, waits for a reply and returns the numerical response code.
intstat(String messageId)
A convenience method to send the NNTP STAT command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.
intstat(int articleNumber)
A convenience method to send the NNTP STAT command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.
intstat()
A convenience method to send the NNTP STAT command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.
intxhdr(String header, String selectedArticles)
A convenience method to send the NNTP XHDR command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.
intxover(String selectedArticles)
A convenience method to send the NNTP XOVER command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.
protected void_connectAction_()
Initiates control connections and gets initial reply, determining if the client is allowed to post to the server.

Field Detail

DEFAULT_PORT

public static final int DEFAULT_PORT
The default NNTP port. Its value is 119 according to RFC 977. **

_commandSupport_

protected ProtocolCommandSupport _commandSupport_
A ProtocolCommandSupport object used to manage the registering of ProtocolCommandListeners and te firing of ProtocolCommandEvents.

_reader_

protected BufferedReader _reader_
Wraps _input_ to communicate with server. Initialized by NNTP. All server reads should be done through this variable.

_writer_

protected BufferedWriter _writer_
Wraps _output_ to communicate with server. Initialized by NNTP. All server reads should be done through this variable.

Constructor Detail

NNTP

public NNTP()
The default NNTP constructor. Sets the default port to DEFAULT_PORT and initializes internal data structures for saving NNTP reply information.

Method Detail

addProtocolCommandListener

public void addProtocolCommandListener(ProtocolCommandListener listener)
Adds a ProtocolCommandListener. Delegates this task to _commandSupport_ .

Parameters: listener The ProtocolCommandListener to add.

article

public int article(String messageId)
A convenience method to send the NNTP ARTICLE command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.

Parameters: messageId The message identifier of the requested article, including the encapsulating < and > characters.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

article

public int article(int articleNumber)
A convenience method to send the NNTP ARTICLE command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.

Parameters: articleNumber The number of the article to request from the currently selected newsgroup.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

article

public int article()
A convenience method to send the NNTP ARTICLE command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

authinfoPass

public int authinfoPass(String password)
A convenience method to send the AUTHINFO PASS command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code. If this step is required, it should immediately follow the AUTHINFO USER command (See RFC 2980)

Parameters: password a valid password.

Returns: The reply code received from the server. The server should return a 281 or 502 for this command.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

authinfoUser

public int authinfoUser(String username)
A convenience method to send the AUTHINFO USER command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code. (See RFC 2980)

Parameters: username A valid username.

Returns: The reply code received from the server. The server should return a 381 or 281 for this command.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

body

public int body(String messageId)
A convenience method to send the NNTP BODY command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.

Parameters: messageId The message identifier of the requested article, including the encapsulating < and > characters.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

body

public int body(int articleNumber)
A convenience method to send the NNTP BODY command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.

Parameters: articleNumber The number of the article to request from the currently selected newsgroup.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

body

public int body()
A convenience method to send the NNTP BODY command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

disconnect

public void disconnect()
Closes the connection to the NNTP server and sets to null some internal data so that the memory may be reclaimed by the garbage collector. The reply text and code information from the last command is voided so that the memory it used may be reclaimed.

Throws: IOException If an error occurs while disconnecting.

getReply

public int getReply()
Fetches a reply from the NNTP server and returns the integer reply code. After calling this method, the actual reply text can be accessed from getReplyString . Only use this method if you are implementing your own NNTP client or if you need to fetch a secondary response from the NNTP server.

Returns: The integer value of the reply code of the fetched NNTP reply. in response to the command.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while receiving the server reply.

getReplyCode

public int getReplyCode()
Returns the integer value of the reply code of the last NNTP reply. You will usually only use this method after you connect to the NNTP server to check that the connection was successful since connect is of type void.

Returns: The integer value of the reply code of the last NNTP reply.

getReplyString

public String getReplyString()
Returns the entire text of the last NNTP server response exactly as it was received, not including the end of line marker.

Returns: The entire text from the last NNTP response as a String.

group

public int group(String newsgroup)
A convenience method to send the NNTP GROUP command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.

Parameters: newsgroup The name of the newsgroup to select.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

head

public int head(String messageId)
A convenience method to send the NNTP HEAD command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.

Parameters: messageId The message identifier of the requested article, including the encapsulating < and > characters.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

head

public int head(int articleNumber)
A convenience method to send the NNTP HEAD command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.

Parameters: articleNumber The number of the article to request from the currently selected newsgroup.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

head

public int head()
A convenience method to send the NNTP HEAD command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

help

public int help()
A convenience method to send the NNTP HELP command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

ihave

public int ihave(String messageId)
A convenience method to send the NNTP IHAVE command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.

Parameters: messageId The article identifier, including the encapsulating < and > characters.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

isAllowedToPost

public boolean isAllowedToPost()
Indicates whether or not the client is allowed to post articles to the server it is currently connected to.

Returns: True if the client can post articles to the server, false otherwise.

last

public int last()
A convenience method to send the NNTP LAST command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

list

public int list()
A convenience method to send the NNTP LIST command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

listActive

public int listActive(String wildmat)
A convenience wrapper for the extended LIST command that takes an argument, allowing us to selectively list multiple groups.

Parameters: wildmat A wildmat (pseudo-regex) pattern. See RFC 2980 for details.

Returns: the reply code received from the server.

Throws: IOException

newgroups

public int newgroups(String date, String time, boolean GMT, String distributions)
A convenience method to send the NNTP NEWGROUPS command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.

Parameters: date The date after which to check for new groups. Date format is YYMMDD time The time after which to check for new groups. Time format is HHMMSS using a 24-hour clock. GMT True if the time is in GMT, false if local server time. distributions Comma-separated distribution list to check for new groups. Set to null if no distributions.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

newnews

public int newnews(String newsgroups, String date, String time, boolean GMT, String distributions)
A convenience method to send the NNTP NEWGROUPS command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.

Parameters: newsgroups A comma-separated list of newsgroups to check for new news. date The date after which to check for new news. Date format is YYMMDD time The time after which to check for new news. Time format is HHMMSS using a 24-hour clock. GMT True if the time is in GMT, false if local server time. distributions Comma-separated distribution list to check for new news. Set to null if no distributions.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

next

public int next()
A convenience method to send the NNTP NEXT command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

post

public int post()
A convenience method to send the NNTP POST command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

quit

public int quit()
A convenience method to send the NNTP QUIT command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

removeProtocolCommandListener

public void removeProtocolCommandListener(ProtocolCommandListener listener)
Removes a ProtocolCommandListener. Delegates this task to _commandSupport_ .

Parameters: listener The ProtocolCommandListener to remove.

sendCommand

public int sendCommand(String command, String args)
Sends an NNTP command to the server, waits for a reply and returns the numerical response code. After invocation, for more detailed information, the actual reply text can be accessed by calling getReplyString .

Parameters: command The text representation of the NNTP command to send. args The arguments to the NNTP command. If this parameter is set to null, then the command is sent with no argument.

Returns: The integer value of the NNTP reply code returned by the server in response to the command.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

sendCommand

public int sendCommand(int command, String args)
Sends an NNTP command to the server, waits for a reply and returns the numerical response code. After invocation, for more detailed information, the actual reply text can be accessed by calling getReplyString .

Parameters: command The NNTPCommand constant corresponding to the NNTP command to send. args The arguments to the NNTP command. If this parameter is set to null, then the command is sent with no argument.

Returns: The integer value of the NNTP reply code returned by the server in response to the command. in response to the command.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

sendCommand

public int sendCommand(String command)
Sends an NNTP command with no arguments to the server, waits for a reply and returns the numerical response code. After invocation, for more detailed information, the actual reply text can be accessed by calling getReplyString .

Parameters: command The text representation of the NNTP command to send.

Returns: The integer value of the NNTP reply code returned by the server in response to the command. in response to the command.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

sendCommand

public int sendCommand(int command)
Sends an NNTP command with no arguments to the server, waits for a reply and returns the numerical response code. After invocation, for more detailed information, the actual reply text can be accessed by calling getReplyString .

Parameters: command The NNTPCommand constant corresponding to the NNTP command to send.

Returns: The integer value of the NNTP reply code returned by the server in response to the command. in response to the command.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

stat

public int stat(String messageId)
A convenience method to send the NNTP STAT command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.

Parameters: messageId The message identifier of the requested article, including the encapsulating < and > characters.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

stat

public int stat(int articleNumber)
A convenience method to send the NNTP STAT command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.

Parameters: articleNumber The number of the article to request from the currently selected newsgroup.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

stat

public int stat()
A convenience method to send the NNTP STAT command to the server, receive the initial reply, and return the reply code.

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

xhdr

public int xhdr(String header, String selectedArticles)
A convenience method to send the NNTP XHDR command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.

Parameters: header a String naming a header line (e.g., "subject"). See RFC-1036 for a list of valid header lines. selectedArticles a String representation of the range of article headers required. This may be an article number, or a range of article numbers in the form "XXXX-YYYY", where XXXX and YYYY are valid article numbers in the current group. It also may be of the form "XXX-", meaning "return XXX and all following articles" In this revision, the last format is not possible (yet).

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

xover

public int xover(String selectedArticles)
A convenience method to send the NNTP XOVER command to the server, receive the reply, and return the reply code.

Parameters: selectedArticles a String representation of the range of article headers required. This may be an article number, or a range of article numbers in the form "XXXX-YYYY", where XXXX and YYYY are valid article numbers in the current group. It also may be of the form "XXX-", meaning "return XXX and all following articles" In this revision, the last format is not possible (yet).

Returns: The reply code received from the server.

Throws: NNTPConnectionClosedException If the NNTP server prematurely closes the connection as a result of the client being idle or some other reason causing the server to send NNTP reply code 400. This exception may be caught either as an IOException or independently as itself. IOException If an I/O error occurs while either sending the command or receiving the server reply.

_connectAction_

protected void _connectAction_()
Initiates control connections and gets initial reply, determining if the client is allowed to post to the server. Initializes _reader_ and _writer_ to wrap _input_ and _output_.