In his latest post, dds is working with the traditional unix mailbox format in order to extract some analytics on his email usage. With all its deficiencies, for 30+ years mbox remains the most portable email format in use. While other formats like mbx, maildir, etc have been invented, and although its use has changed over the years, it refuses obsolescence and for some 5 years now, it is also described in an RFC.
Simplicity at its best.
Managing organized complexity 