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

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

application/x-hy is used for files with Hy source code. Hy is a Lisp dialect that compiles into Python code.
This MIME type tells systems the file holds code meant for Hy interpreters.

It helps text editors and programming tools apply the correct syntax rules. It also supports proper file handling on web servers.

Enables accurate syntax highlighting in code editors.
Facilitates code execution in development environments.
Assists web servers in serving source code correctly.

Files with the HY extension carry this MIME type.

Learn more about Hy on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.hy

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-hy

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.hy

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.