What is MIME type "application/vnd.stardivision.writer-global"?

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

application/vnd.stardivision.writer-global is a MIME type used by StarOffice’s writer component. It is not the main text file but a global configuration file. The file holds settings like default styles, page layout, and formatting rules that apply to an entire document.

It works together with other binary parts of the suite. For example, the main document is stored in a file like SDW, and the global settings are kept in a file such as SGL. Other related components include files like SDB, SDS, SDC, SDG, SMF, SDA, SDP, SDD, SDM, and VOR.

Key facts:

Main function: Stores global document settings.
Usage: Ensures consistent styles and layouts in documents.
Context: Part of the suite of binary formats used by StarOffice (also seen in legacy OpenOffice systems).

This MIME type is part of a modular file structure. Applications that support these formats combine the global file with content files to rebuild the full document layout. For further technical details, you may refer to resources like OpenOffice documentation.

Associated file extensions

.sdb, .sds, .sdc, .sdw, .sdg, .smf, .sgl, .sda, .sdp, .sdd, .sdm, .vor

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/vnd.stardivision.writer-global

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.sdb, .sds, .sdc, .sdw, .sdg, .smf, .sgl, .sda, .sdp, .sdd, .sdm, .vor

FAQs

What is the primary purpose of application/vnd.stardivision.writer-global?

This MIME type represents StarOffice Writer global documents, often referred to as master documents. These files, typically ending in .sgl, function as containers that hold global styles, formatting rules, and page layouts to ensure consistency across multiple sub-documents within the legacy StarDivision suite.

Which file extension is specifically associated with this MIME type?

While the StarDivision suite uses many extensions (like sdw, sdc, sda), the MIME type application/vnd.stardivision.writer-global is specifically linked to the .sgl extension. Other extensions in the family usually map to different specific MIME types (e.g., .sdw maps to application/vnd.stardivision.writer).

How can I open an SGL file today?

Although StarOffice is obsolete, you can still open these files using modern open-source office suites. Apache OpenOffice and LibreOffice maintain backward compatibility with legacy StarDivision formats and can open, edit, and convert .sgl files.

How do I configure an Apache server to serve this MIME type?

To ensure browsers correctly identify the file type, add the following line to your .htaccess file or main configuration: AddType application/vnd.stardivision.writer-global .sgl. This instructs the server to send the correct headers when a user downloads the file.

Can I convert application/vnd.stardivision.writer-global files to modern formats?

Yes, you can convert them using LibreOffice or OpenOffice. Open the file in one of these applications and use the "Save As" feature to convert it to a modern standard like the OpenDocument Master Document (.odm) or a standard text document (.odt or .docx).

Why does my browser download the file instead of displaying it?

Web browsers (like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge) do not have built-in engines to render legacy office documents. When a server sends the application/vnd.stardivision.writer-global header, the browser defaults to downloading the file so you can open it with a compatible desktop application.

Is this MIME type secure?

Like many legacy binary office formats, these files can theoretically contain macros or malformed data intended to exploit vulnerabilities in older software. It is recommended to open them in updated software like LibreOffice (which has modern security patches) rather than the original, outdated StarOffice software.

General 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.