What is MIME type "application/java-vm"?

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

application/java-vm is the MIME type for files that hold compiled Java bytecode. They are meant to be executed by the Java Virtual Machine.

When a system encounters a file with this MIME type, it understands that the file is not plain text or media—it needs the Java runtime to run. Usually, these files are the compiled outputs of Java source code. For example, a CLASS file is a typical instance of this type.

Execution: Allows the JVM to load and run Java applications.
Platform Independence: Enables the same Java bytecode to run on different operating systems.
Web Integration: Helps browsers or servers identify files that require Java runtime environments.

For more details on how bytecode runs on the Java Virtual Machine, check out the Java Virtual Machine overview.

Associated file extensions

.class

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/java-vm

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/java-vm">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/java-vm');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.class

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.