What is MIME type "application/vnd.fdf"?
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
application/vnd.fdf indicates a file containing data for digital forms. It is tied to the Forms Data Format, which separates form field values from the main document layout.This MIME type is common in workflows involving PDF forms. A separate file, such as FDF, holds the data that fills in the fields of a PDF document.
- Enables data transfer between a PDF and external systems.
- Facilitates automation in form filling and reporting.
- Supports integration with applications like Adobe Acrobat.
- Helps keep the original PDF unchanged by storing only the form data.
Associated file extensions
Usage Examples
HTTP Header
When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:
Content-Type: application/vnd.fdf
HTML
In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:
<a href="file.dat" type="application/vnd.fdf">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/vnd.fdf');
res.end('Content here');
}).listen(3000);
Associated file extensions
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.