What is MIME type "application/atom+xml"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

application/atom+xml defines a data format for Atom feeds that use the XML language. This format delivers continuously updated content such as blog posts or news articles.

It is mainly used to syndicate web content. Data is structured in a standard way so that feed readers and similar applications can easily parse and display updates.

Feeds update users with the latest content.
Applications use it to automate data retrieval.
Developers can integrate multiple sources into one platform.

Atom feeds are often saved as files with extensions like XML or ATOM. They rely on the clear structure of XML for consistency across different systems.

For more details on the Atom standard, visit this reference.

Associated file extensions

.xml, .atom

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/atom+xml

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/atom+xml">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/atom+xml');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.xml, .atom

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.