What is MIME type "application/x-arj"?

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

application/x-arj identifies files compressed with the ARJ method. It bundles several files into one compressed archive. The related file is ARJ.

This MIME type is used to decrease file sizes and group files together. It helps when sending, storing, or backing up data.

Efficiently compressing backup archives
Packaging multiple files into one container
Supporting multi-volume archives that can be split for easier storage

ARJ archives were popular in older DOS systems. Modern computers need specific tools to open these files.
For more details, see Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.arj

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-arj

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.arj

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.