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

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-shen is assigned to files containing Shen script code. It marks these files as using a custom, experimental format indicated by the x- prefix.

Files with this type typically hold source code for the Shen programming language. They are meant for use with interpreters, compilers, or development tools that understand Shen syntax. For instance, a file ending in SHEN is recognized as containing Shen code.

Main use: Tags files for Shen language processing by interpreters or compilers.
Additional use: Enables editors to apply syntax highlighting and code validation for Shen scripts.
Practical function: Helps web servers and applications decide how to handle and display the file content.

This MIME type is valuable for environments that require specialized support for Shen. For further technical details, see MIME Specifications.

Associated file extensions

.shen

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-shen

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.shen

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.