What is MIME type "application/x-astrotite-afa"?

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

application/x-astrotite-afa is a custom MIME type designed for files used exclusively by the Astrotite system. It signals that the file contains structured data meant for a specific application routine.

Files marked with this type are processed by specialized software. They often include configuration settings, project details, or other proprietary data. The non-standard x- prefix in the MIME type indicates that it is not registered with official standards but is used within a niche environment.

When such a file is encountered, the operating system or browser knows to hand it off to the proper handler. This ensures accurate reading and processing by the intended application.

Ensures the correct application opens the file.
Stores detailed project or configuration data for Astrotite.
Facilitates custom processing in environments tailored to niche software needs.

Files with this MIME type typically use the extension AFA.

For further details on MIME types and their handling, see this resource.

Associated file extensions

.afa

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-astrotite-afa

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.afa

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.