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

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

application/x-glksave is a MIME type for files that carry saved game data. These files use the Quetzal file format to store a snapshot of a game’s state.
They are primarily used by interactive fiction engines and interpreters that follow the Glk I/O model. The format saves memory, variables, and game progress so you can resume a game later.
Files of this type typically come with the SAV or GLKSAVE extension.

Restores a paused game session.
Stores binary data of the game’s current state.
Interacts with engines that implement the Glk standard.
Key for resuming interactive fiction adventures.

For more details on the Glk system, see the Glk library documentation.

Associated file extensions

.sav, .glksave

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-glksave

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.sav, .glksave

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.