What is MIME type "application/vnd.sun.xml.writer"?

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

The MIME type application/vnd.sun.xml.writer defines an XML document format used by OpenOffice Writer. It tells programs how to display, edit, and exchange these files reliably.

Files using this format include SXW, STD, STC, SXC, STI, SXD, STW, SXI, SXM, and SXG.

Text Processing: Create and edit fully formatted documents.
Template Support: Use document structures that speed up content creation.
Standardization: The XML basis ensures consistent structure and compatibility.
Interoperability: Enables different software and browsers to recognize and work with the file.

This MIME type is a core part of the OpenOffice suite's approach to document management. It was designed for reliable file sharing and editing. For additional details, visit OpenOffice.org.

Associated file extensions

.sxw, .std, .stc, .sxc, .sti, .sxd, .stw, .sxi, .sxm, .sxg

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/vnd.sun.xml.writer

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.sxw, .std, .stc, .sxc, .sti, .sxd, .stw, .sxi, .sxm, .sxg

FAQs

What is the application/vnd.sun.xml.writer MIME type?

This MIME type represents legacy text documents created by OpenOffice.org versions 1.x and StarOffice. It is primarily associated with the sxw extension and serves as the predecessor to the modern OpenDocument Format (ODF).

How do I open files with this MIME type?

You can open these files using modern office suites like Apache OpenOffice or LibreOffice. These applications maintain backward compatibility with the older StarOffice XML format and allow you to edit or convert the documents.

How does this format differ from standard ODT files?

application/vnd.sun.xml.writer is a vendor-specific format used before 2005. It was replaced by the ISO-standardized OpenDocument Format (ODF), which uses the MIME type application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.text and the .odt extension.

How do I configure Apache to serve .sxw files correctly?

To ensure browsers recognize the file type, add the following line to your .htaccess or server configuration file: AddType application/vnd.sun.xml.writer .sxw .stw.

Can I convert application/vnd.sun.xml.writer files to Microsoft Word?

Yes. Open the file in LibreOffice Writer or OpenOffice, then use the Save As feature to convert the document to Microsoft Word formats like .doc or .docx.

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

Web browsers (such as Chrome or Firefox) do not have built-in engines to render OpenOffice Writer documents. When they encounter the application/vnd.sun.xml.writer header, they trigger a file download so you can open it in a desktop application.

Is this MIME type still in common use?

No, it is considered deprecated. It has been largely superseded by the OpenDocument Format (.odt) and OOXML (.docx), though you may still encounter it in older archives or legacy systems.

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.