What is MIME type "application/vnd.wap.wbxml"?

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.wap.wbxml designates data in the Wireless Binary XML format. It converts verbose XML text into a compact, binary form that uses less bandwidth and processes faster on devices with limited resources.

This efficiency suits mobile environments and wireless communications. The binary encoding reduces file size and speeds up data transfer, especially on networks with lower capacity.

Used for mobile applications where network efficiency is key.
Employed in synchronization services and push email systems.
Facilitates faster parsing on devices with restricted processing power.
Part of protocols related to the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP).

Files marked as WBXML typically use this MIME type. For more details on the format, consult resources like Wikipedia WBXML.

Associated file extensions

.wbxml

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/vnd.wap.wbxml

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.wbxml

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.