What is MIME type "application/sgml"?

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

application/sgml is the MIME type for documents written in Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML).
It signals that the file contains markup, data definitions, and controlled vocabularies defined by the SGML standard (ISO 8879:1986).
Files like SGM and SGML use it to indicate their format.

Used to structure complex documents systematically.
Helps separate content from presentation.
Basis for defining other markup languages, including HTML.
Employed in publishing and archival systems.

Its primary use is in environments where detailed document metadata and structure are essential. For more on MIME types and SGML, visit this reference.

Associated file extensions

.sgm, .sgml

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/sgml

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.sgm, .sgml

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.