What is MIME type "application/vnd.ipld.car"?

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

application/vnd.ipld.car is a MIME type for a specialized archive file known as a Content Addressable Archive.
It bundles blocks of IPLD data. Each block is addressed by its unique hash. This ensures the integrity of the stored content.
Data in this archive can be verified and retrieved efficiently. Files using this format are typically saved with the CAR file extension.

Data Packaging: It groups related IPLD objects into one archive.
Distributed Storage: It is used in decentralized systems. This makes it easier to share and validate data.
Content Integrity: Every piece of data is verified through content addressing.
Interoperability: It allows different tools to exchange data seamlessly using the IPLD standard.

This MIME type is crucial for environments where data integrity and decentralized data exchange are important. For more details on IPLD and its role in distributed networks, visit external technical references available online.

Associated file extensions

.car

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/vnd.ipld.car

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.car

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.