What is MIME type "application/ms-asf"?

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

The MIME type application/ms-asf represents the Advanced Systems Format. It is a container format designed for multimedia data. It is used to stream audio and video over networks.
Its structure organizes data in small chunks. This design allows playback to begin before the entire file is downloaded.

Key use cases and facts include:

Enabling reliable media streaming on PCs
Supporting digital rights management for protected content
Facilitating progressive downloads for smoother playback

Files that use this MIME type are typically seen as ASF. Many media applications, like Windows Media Player, rely on it to manage streaming and playback.

For additional technical details, see the article on Advanced Systems Format on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.asf

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/ms-asf

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.asf

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.