What is MIME type "application/vnd.ms-asf"?

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

application/vnd.ms-asf designates files that use the Advanced Systems Format.
This format acts as a container for multimedia data. It bundles audio, video, and metadata together. Files in this format are commonly identified by the extension ASF.

Used for streaming audiovisual content.
Optimized for network broadcast and playback.
Commonly supported by Windows Media Player and similar applications.
Helps manage playlists and metadata effectively.

This MIME type informs programs and browsers about the file's structure and handling requirements. For more technical details, see external resources such as Advanced Systems Format on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.asf

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/vnd.ms-asf

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.asf

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.