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

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-shorten tells programs that a file is encoded with the Shorten lossless audio compression algorithm. It reduces file sizes while keeping audio data intact.

Files using this type often carry the file extension SHN. This format, known in version 3.5.1, is used where accurate, unmodified audio is needed.

Main Use: Archiving audio recordings with no loss in quality.
Other Uses: Efficient file transfer and storage in media libraries.
Key Fact: It preserves the original audio signal through lossless compression.
Key Fact: Supported by specialized media software that recognizes the MIME type.

For more technical details on MIME types, see MIME on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.shn

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-shorten

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.shn

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.