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

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

The MIME type application/x-par belongs to the Parity Volume Set File Format Family. It holds extra data that helps recover lost or corrupted files. The format is common in systems where file integrity is key.
Files using this format include PAR, PAR2, PA3, PXX, and PAR3.

The files store error-correction info. They work by adding recovery blocks alongside the original data. This helps fix errors during downloads or file transfers.

Data Recovery: They rebuild missing file parts.
Error Correction: They repair corrupted segments.
Integrity Verification: They check data consistency.

This MIME type is useful in environments like newsgroups and file-sharing systems. It enhances trust in multi-part file distributions and long-term storage.

For more details on the mechanics or related formats, consider exploring technical resources and communities specializing in file-recovery tools.

Associated file extensions

.par, .par2, .pa3, .pxx, .par3

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-par

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.par, .par2, .pa3, .pxx, .par3

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.