How does SMTP handle attachments in emails?

SMTP handles attachments in emails by using MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) to encode the attachments directly within the email body. This method allows various types of data, such as images, documents, and audio files, to be sent alongside text content in a single email message. MIME defines ways to format the data so that email clients can recognize and render these attachments appropriately, regardless of their content type.

This encoding process is essential because SMTP, by itself, is primarily designed to handle plain text. While it can transmit messages, it does not specify how to include complex data types or binary files. By embracing MIME, SMTP enables the inclusion of a variety of file types by converting them into a format that can be included in the body of the email message. This allows for seamless integration of both text and attachments within a single email, making it a crucial aspect of modern email communication.