What is MIME type "application/package"?

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

application/package is a MIME type that denotes a bundled file created to deliver multiple resources as one package.
It is often used for web-based distribution of software or content. The package is designed to be processed by specialized tools that extract and install the included data.

Bundled resources: Groups several files into one container for easy distribution.
Software installation: Facilitates installation and updates by providing all required resources together.
Web applications: Supports deployment of web packages where assets, scripts, and styles need to be combined.

Files using this MIME type may have the PACK extension. This type signals to compatible applications and browsers that the file must be handled as a package, not as a single document or media file.
For more details on MIME types and their roles in web technology, visit Mozilla’s documentation on MIME types.

Associated file extensions

.pack

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/package

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.pack

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.