What is MIME type "application/sql"?

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

application/sql designates plain text files that contain Structured Query Language (SQL) commands. These files guide database engines in operations like querying data and modifying database structures.

Files ending with SQL typically use this MIME type. It tells programs to treat the content as executable SQL commands.

Main use: Running database queries to retrieve or manipulate data.
Schema management: Creating, altering, or dropping tables and other database objects.
Data operations: Inserting, updating, or deleting records in a database.
Automation: Executing batch scripts for migrations or regular maintenance tasks.

The MIME type helps systems and applications choose the right tools for processing and highlighting the SQL syntax. For additional details on SQL, visit SQL - Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.sql

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/sql

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.sql

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.