Last updated 2004-06-30 by Roedy
Green ©1996-2004 Canadian Mind Products
Last updated 2004-06-30 by Roedy
Green ©1996-2004 Canadian Mind Products
Java definitions: 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
You are here : home : Java Glossary : M words : MIME.
MIME is also a way of specifying the format of web documents and attached email documents. The webserver gives two hints to the browser what sort of data it is sending it: the extension in the filename, and the MIME type in the HTTP header. The web server usually derives the MIME type by looking at a table of file extensions. If the web server fails to do this, often the file contents are just displayed as gibberish rather than properly acted on. In Novell Servers there is only one such extension-to-MIME translation table per server, not one per website hosted. Just send an email to your ISP telling them the extensions you need to support and the corresponding MIME types. In particular, you must tell your ISP to set up associations from extension to MIME type for all the Java file types such as .class, .java, .jar, .jnlp, .jardiff and .ser.
MIME types are also called media types. The content-type and content-encoding fields in the HTTP header together give a hint to the receiver what kind of data has just been handed to it.
IANA is responsible for assigning new MIME types. Unfortunately naming is even more chaotic than the extensions, often with several conflicting MIME types for each extension. Unfortunately, MIME has made the problem it was intended to solve even worse. It matters not what the official name is, but the MIME name configured in the majority of the world's browsers is.
| Common MIME Types | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Extension | MIME Type | Alternate MIME Types | Notes |
| 123 | application/vnd.lotus-1-2-3 | ||
| 3dm | x-world/x-3dmf | ||
| 3dmf | x-world/x-3dmf | ||
| aab | application/x-authorware-bin | ||
| aam | application/x-authorware-map | ||
| aas | application/x-authorware-map | ||
| adr | application/x-msaddr | ||
| afl | video/animaflex | ||
| ai | application/postscript | Adobe PostScript | |
| aif | audio/x-aiff | MacIntosh sound | |
| aifc | audio/x-aiff | MacIntosh sound | |
| aiff | audio/x-aiff | MacIntosh sound | |
| alt | application/x-up-alert | ||
| aos | application/x-nokia-9000-communicator-add-on-software | ||
| arj | application/x-arj | ||
| asc | text/plain | text | |
| asd | application/astound | ||
| asf | video/x-ms-asf | Microsoft video | |
| asn | application/astound | ||
| asp | application/x-asap | ||
| asx | video/x-ms-asf | Microsoft video | |
| asz | application/astound | ||
| au | audio/basic | standard Internet/Java wave sound | |
| avi | video/x-msvideo | avi movie | |
| axs | application/olescript | ||
| bas | text/plain | Basic source | |
| bat | text/plain | application/octet-stream | DOS/Windows command line script |
| bcpio | application/x-bcpio | ||
| bin | application/octet-stream | application/x-macbinary | executable program. You can use it for any file you want simply downloaded and as an intact binary. E.g. it would be useful for *.upd files in the Automatic File Update student project. |
| bmp | image/bmp | image/x-ms-bmp | Windows image |
| cacert | application/x-x509-ca-cert | ||
| ccs | text/ccs | ||
| cdf | application/x-netcdf | ||
| cdr | application/x-cdr | ||
| cer | application/x-x509-ca-cert | X.509 Certificate | |
| chat | application/x-chat | ||
| che | application/x-up-cacheop | ||
| cht | audio/x-dspeech | ||
| class | application/octet-stream | application/java-class, application/x-java-vm, application/x-java-applet, application/java | compiled Java |
| clp | image/x-clp | ||
| cmd | text/plain | Windows NT command line script | |
| cmx | image/x-cmx | ||
| cnc | application/x-cnc | ||
| cod | image/cis-cod | ||
| coda | application/x-coda | ||
| com | application/octet-stream | executable program. You can use it for any file you want simply downloaded and as an intact binary. E.g. it would be useful for *.upd files in the Automatic File Update student project. | |
| con | application/x-connector | ||
| cpi | image/cpi | ||
| cpio | application/x-cpio | ||
| csh | application/x-csh | ||
| csm | application/x-cu-seeme | ||
| css | text/css | Cascading Style Sheet. | |
| csv | text/comma-separated-values | Microsoft's format for import/export to Excel, Word and Access. | |
| cu | application/x-cu-seeme | ||
| cut | image/x-halo-cut | ||
| dbf | application/octet-stream | ||
| dcr | application/x-director | ||
| dig | multipart/mixed | ||
| dir | application/x-director | ||
| doc | application/msword | Microsoft Word document formatted. | |
| dsf | image/x-mgx-dsf | ||
| dss | text/dss | ||
| dst | application/tajima | ||
| dus | audio/x-dspeech | ||
| dvi | application/x-dvi | ||
| dwf | drawing/x-dwf | ||
| dwg | image/vnd | ||
| dxf | image/vnd | ||
| dxr | application/x-director | ||
| ebk | application/x-expandedbook | ||
| ecert | application/x-x509-email-cert | ||
| application/x-x509-email-cert | |||
| emf | image/x-emf | ||
| eps | application/postscript | Encapsulated Adobe PostScript | |
| erf | application/x-hsp-erf | ||
| es | audio/echospeech | ||
| etf | image/x-etf | ||
| etx | text/x-setext | ||
| evy | application/envoy | application/x-envoy | Envoy |
| exe | application/x-msdownload | application/octet-stream, application/exe. Sun sometimes use magnus-internal/cgi | Windows executable program. Refered to as an application type in the associations editor. |
| fh4 | image/x-freehand | ||
| fh5 | image/x-freehand | ||
| fhc | image/x-freehand | ||
| fif | image/fif | ||
| fml | application/fml | ||
| fpx | image/x-fpx | ||
| frl | application/freeloader | ||
| fs | application/X-FSRecipe | ||
| gif | image/gif | standard Internet icon image | |
| gsd | audio/gsm | ||
| gsm | audio/gsm | ||
| gtar | application/x-gtar | ||
| gz | application/gzip | application/x-gzip | tar gzip |
| hdf | application/x-hdf | ||
| hdml | text/x-hdml | ||
| hqx | application/mac-binhex40 | ||
| htm | text/html | HTML, web browser | |
| html | text/html | HTML, web browser | |
| ica | application/x-ica | Citrix | |
| ief | image/ief | image | |
| ins | application/x-NET-Install | ||
| ips | application/ips | application/x-ipscript | |
| ipx | application/x-ipix | ||
| ivr | i-world/i-vrml | ||
| jar | application/java-archive | application/x-jar | compiled compressed java plus data members. |
| jardiff | application/x-java-archive-diff | java jar update file, contains only jar members that have changed. | |
| java | text/x-java-source | text/plain | java source code |
| jnlp | application/x-java-jnlp-file | Java Web Start application descriptor XML file. | |
| jpe | image/jpeg | image/pjpeg | standard Internet photo image |
| jpeg | image/jpeg | image/pjpeg | standard Internet photo image |
| jpg | image/jpeg | image/pjpeg | standard Internet photo image |
| jps | image/x-jps | ||
| js | application/x-javascript | JavaScript | |
| latex | application/x-latex | ||
| lha | application/octet-stream | ||
| lit | application/lit | ||
| lsp | text/lsp | ||
| lwp | application/x-wordpro | ||
| lzh | application/octet-stream | ||
| lzx | application/octet-stream | ||
| m3u | audio/x-mpegurl | ||
| man | application/x-troff-man | ||
| map | application/x-httpd-imap | ||
| mbd | application/mbedlet | ||
| mcf | image/vasa | ||
| mdb | application/mdb | ||
| me | application/x-troff-me | ||
| mfp | application/mirage | ||
| mid | audio/x-midi | MIDI sound | |
| midi | audio/x-midi | MIDI sound | |
| mif | application/x-mif | ||
| mol | chemical/x-mdl-molfile | ||
| mov | video/quicktime | Quicktime movie player | |
| movie | video/x-sgi-movie | movie | |
| mp2 | audio/x-mpeg | ||
| mp3 | audio/mpeg | mp3 compressed Napster-style compressed audio | |
| mpe | video/mpeg | mpeg movie player | |
| mpeg | video/mpeg | mpeg movie player | |
| mpg | video/mpeg | mpeg movie player | |
| mpire | application/x-mpire | ||
| mpl | application/x-mpire | ||
| mpp | application/vnd.ms-project | ||
| ms | application/x-troff-ms | ||
| msi | application/msi | ||
| msm | application/msm | ||
| n2p | application/n2p | ||
| nc | application/x-netcdf | ||
| npx | application/x-netfpx | ||
| nsc | application/x-nschat | ||
| oda | application/oda | ||
| ofml | application/fml | ||
| page | application/x-coda | ||
| pbd | application/vnd.powerbuilder6 | ||
| pbm | image/x-portable-bitmap | bitmap image | |
| pdb | chemical/x-pdb | ||
| application/pdf | Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format | ||
| pfr | application/font-tdpfr | ||
| pgm | image/x-portable-graymap | grayscale image | |
| pgp | application/x-pgp-plugin | Pretty Good Privacy | |
| pgr | text/parsnegar-document | ||
| php | application/x-httpd-php | ||
| php3 | application/x-httpd-php3 | ||
| php4 | application/x-httpd-php | ||
| pls | application/pls | ||
| png | image/png | Portal Network Graphics image | |
| pnm | image/x-portable-anymap | ||
| pot | application/mspowerpoint | ||
| ppm | image/x-portable-pixmap | pixel image | |
| pps | application/mspowerpoint | ||
| ppt | application/mspowerpoint | ||
| ppz | application/mspowerpoint | ||
| pqf | application/x-cprplayer | ||
| pqi | application/cprplayer | ||
| ps | application/postscript | Adobe PostScript | |
| psr | application/datawindow | ||
| ptlk | application/listenup | ||
| push | multipart/x-mixed-replace | ||
| qd3 | x-world/x-3dmf | ||
| qd3d | x-world/x-3dmf | ||
| qrt | application/quest | ||
| qt | video/quicktime | Quicktime movie player | |
| qti | image/x-quicktime | ||
| qtl | application/x-quicktimeplayer | ||
| ra | audio/x-pn-realaudio | Real Audio | |
| ram | audio/x-pn-realaudio | Real Audio | |
| ras | image/x-cmu-raster | ||
| rgb | image/x-rgb | ||
| rgb | image/x-rgb | image | |
| rip | image/rip | ||
| rm | audio/x-pn-realaudio | Real Audio | |
| rmf | audio/rmf | audio/x-rmf | |
| roff | application/x-troff | ||
| rpm | audio/x-pn-realaudio-plugin | Real Audio | |
| rrf | application/x-InstallFromTheWeb | ||
| rtc | application/rtc | ||
| rtf | application/rtf | rich text format | |
| rtx | text/richtext | rich text | |
| sca | application/x-supercard | ||
| scert | application/x-x509-server-cert | ||
| scr | application/octet-stream | Windows screensavers containing executable code. Beware! Frequently contain viruses. | |
| seq | application/octet-stream-bin | ||
| ser | application/x-java-serialized-object | Java serialised object | |
| sh | application/x-sh | ||
| shar | application/x-shar | ||
| shtml | text/x-server-parsed-html | server side includes; web server expands embedded commands. Sometimes htm and html files are parsed for embedded commands too. | |
| shw | application/presentations | ||
| sit | application/x-stuffit | ||
| sjf | application/octet-stream | ||
| smi | application/smil | ||
| smil | application/smil | ||
| sml | application/smil | ||
| smp | application/studiom | ||
| snd | audio/basic | standard Internet/Java wave sound | |
| spc | text/x-speech | ||
| spl | application/futuresplash | ||
| spr | application/x-sprite | ||
| sprite | application/x-sprite | ||
| src | application/x-wais-source | ||
| ssi | text/x-server-parsed-html | server side includes; web server expands embedded commands. Sometimes htm and html files are parsed for embedded commands too. | |
| stk | application/hstu | ||
| stream | audio/x-qt-stream | ||
| sv4cpio | application/x-sv4cpio | ||
| sv4crc | application/x-sv4crc | ||
| svf | image/vnd | ||
| svh | image/svh | ||
| svr | x-world/x-svr | ||
| swa | application/x-director | ||
| swf | application/x-shockwave-flash | Shockwave Flash, not straight white female. | |
| t | application/x-troff | ||
| talk | application/talker | ||
| tar | application/x-tar | Unix tar archive | |
| tbk | application/toolbook | ||
| tcl | application/x-tcl | ||
| tex | application/x-tex | ||
| texi | application/x-texinfo | ||
| texinfo | application/x-texinfo | ||
| text | text/plain | ||
| tgz | application/gzip | application/x-gzip | tar gzip |
| tif | image/tiff | bit map image | |
| tiff | image/tiff | bit map image | |
| tlk | application/x-tlk | ||
| tmv | application/x-Parable-Thing | ||
| tr | application/x-troff | ||
| troff | application/x-troff | ||
| tsi | audio/tsplayer | ||
| tsp | application/dsptype | ||
| tsv | text/tab-separated-values | tab separated list | |
| txt | text/plain | ||
| u98 | urdu/urdu98 | ||
| ucert | application/x-x509-user-cert | ||
| uin | application/x-icq | ||
| usercert | application/x-x509-user-cert | ||
| usr | application/x-x509-user-cert | X.509 Certificate | |
| ustar | application/x-ustar | ||
| vbd | application/activexdocument | ||
| vcd | application/x-cdlink | ||
| vcf | text/x-vcard | vCard | |
| vew | application/groupwise | Novell GroupWise | |
| vgm | video/x-videogram | ||
| vgp | video/x-videogram-plugin | ||
| vgx | video/x-videogram | ||
| viv | video/vnd.vivo | ||
| vivo | video/vnd.vivo | ||
| vmd | application/vocaltec-media-desc | ||
| vmf | application/vocaltec-media-file | ||
| vmi | application/x-dreamcast-vms-info | ||
| vms | application/x-dreamcast-vms | ||
| vox | audio/voxware | ||
| vpa | application/vpa | ||
| vqe | audio/x-twinvq-plugin | ||
| vqf | audio/x-twinvq | ||
| vql | audio/x-twinvq | ||
| vrt | x-world/x-vrt | ||
| vts | workbook/formulaone | ||
| vtts | workbook/formulaone | ||
| w60 | application/wordperfect6.0 | Worderfect 6 | |
| w61 | application/wordperfect6.1 | WordPerfect | |
| waf | plugin/wanimate | ||
| wan | plugin/wanimate | ||
| wav | audio/wav | audio/x-wav | Microsoft wave uncompressed sound files |
| wax | audio/x-ms-wax | Microsoft compressed audio | |
| wbmp | image/vnd.wap.wbmp | ||
| wi | image/wavelet | ||
| wid | application/x-DemoShield | ||
| wis | application/x-InstallShield | ||
| wlt | application/x-mswallet | ||
| wm | video/x-ms-wm | Microsoft compressed video | |
| wma | audio/x-ms-wma | Microsoft compressed audio | |
| wmd | application/x-ms-wmd | Microsoft compressed audio | |
| wmf | image/x-wmf | ||
| wml | x-world/x-vrml | text/vnd.wap.wml | VRML 3D virtual worlds, WAP |
| wmlc | application/vnd.wap.wmlc | ||
| wmls | text/vnd.wap.wmlscript | ||
| wmlsc | application/vnd.wap.wmlscriptc | ||
| wmv | video/x-ms-wmv | Microsoft compressed video | |
| wmx | video/x-ms-wmx | Microsoft compressed audio | |
| wmz | application/x-ms-wmz | Microsoft compressed audio | |
| wp | application/wordperfect | WordPerfect 5 | |
| wp5 | application/wordperfect | WordPerfect 5 | |
| wpd | application/wordperfect5.1 | application/wordperfect | |
| wri | application/write | ||
| wrl | x-world/x-vrml | ||
| wrz | x-world/x-vrml | ||
| wtx | audio/wtx | ||
| wvx | video/x-ms-wvx | Microsoft compressed video | |
| xbm | image/x-xbitmap | ||
| xdr | video/x-videogram | ||
| xif | image/vnd.xiff | ||
| xls | application/xls | ||
| xlt | application/xlt | ||
| xml | application/xml | text/xml | XML, use text/xml implies display. application/xml implies download. |
| xpm | image/x-xpixmap | ||
| xwd | image/x-xwindowdump | ||
| z | application/x-compress | ||
| zip | application/x-zip-compressed | application/zip, application/x-compressed, multipart/x-zip | WinZip, PKZip |
| zpa | application/pcphoto | ||
Eventually this printable encoding will be dropped. Base64 encoding, for example, adds 33% overhead to the transmitted message size. The Internet is now almost completely converted to 8-bit, so it should not usually be necessary.
| *.class | application/octet-stream |
| *.css | text/css |
| *.gif | image/gif |
| *.html | text/html |
| *.jar | application/java-archive |
| *.jardiff | application/x-java-archive-diff |
| *.java | text/x-java-source |
| *.jpg | image/jpeg |
| *.jnlp | application/x-java-jnlp-file |
| *.png | image/png |
| *.ser | application/x-java-serialized-object |
| *.txt | text/plain |
| *.zip | application/zip |
You can get the MIME type for a given file using java.net.FileNameMap.getContentTypeFor(filename)
Here are three sources for MIME types: IANA list, Lantech List with some descriptions and Eskimo.com is a less official source.
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