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

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

application/x-gettext marks files that hold text data meant for translation. These files store original messages and placeholders for other languages.
They are part of the Gettext framework used in internationalized software. Such files help programs switch languages smoothly.

This MIME type signals that the file is a translation catalog.
It is used during the localization process of software.
It supports multi-language interfaces in various applications.

A typical file using this MIME type has the POT extension.
Learn more about the system at GNU Gettext.

Associated file extensions

.pot

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-gettext

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.pot

FAQs

What kind of file uses the application/x-gettext MIME type?

This MIME type is primarily associated with Gettext Portable Object Template files, which usually have the .pot extension. These files act as templates containing extracted strings from source code, waiting to be translated into specific languages using tools like Poedit.

How do I open a file served as application/x-gettext?

Since these are plain text files, you can open them with any text editor like Notepad++, Sublime Text, or VS Code. For actual translation work, specialized software like Poedit or Virtaal is recommended to manage the translation strings efficiently.

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

You can ensure Apache serves these files with the correct content type by modifying your .htaccess or server configuration file. Add the following line: AddType application/x-gettext .pot.

How do I add support for application/x-gettext in Nginx?

In your Nginx configuration file (usually nginx.conf or inside sites-available), locate the types block. Add the following entry: application/x-gettext pot;. Reload Nginx to apply the changes.

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

Web browsers do not have built-in engines to render Gettext files. Because the MIME type starts with application/, browsers treat it as a file meant for an external application and will trigger a download dialog rather than displaying the text inline.

What is the difference between .pot, .po, and .mo files?

A .pot file is the template containing original strings. A .po file is the Portable Object derived from the template, containing the actual translations for a specific language. A .mo file is the Machine Object, which is the compiled binary version used by the computer.

Is application/x-gettext a standard IANA MIME type?

No, the x- prefix indicates that it is a non-standard or experimental type. While not officially registered with IANA, it is the widely accepted convention used by developers and web servers to identify Gettext translation templates.

Are files with this MIME type safe to open?

Yes, files associated with application/x-gettext are typically plain text data files. They contain text strings and formatting codes but are not executable programs, making them generally safe to open in a text editor.

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.