What is MIME type "application/mac-binhex"?

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

application/mac-binhex encodes binary files as text. It was designed to transfer Mac files over networks that support only text. This keeps the file content and metadata intact.

Data is converted using the BinHex algorithm. That means the file data is restructured into an ASCII format.

Key points include:

Safe transmission: It prevents corruption over text-only channels.
Metadata preservation: It retains extra Mac-specific information.
Legacy compatibility: It works with classic Mac files.

Files using this MIME type often carry extensions like HEX, HQX, and HCX. These links give more details for each extension.

This MIME type was popular before modern binary transfers. Now, many systems can send real binary data. However, application/mac-binhex remains useful when working with older Mac files.

For more specific details, consider reading technical resources on BinHex.

Associated file extensions

.hex, .hqx, .hcx

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/mac-binhex

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.hex, .hqx, .hcx

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.