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

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

application/x-stata is a MIME type that designates files as Stata command scripts. These files contain a series of commands that automate data processing in Stata.
The file, for example DO, is a plain-text script meant for statistical analysis.

Automates analysis tasks in Stata.
Runs predefined data management routines.
Streamlines repetitive commands to improve efficiency.

Files labeled with this MIME type make it easier to reproduce and share analysis workflows. They can be edited with any text editor and are integral for executing batch processes in data projects.
For further details, visit Filext.

Associated file extensions

.do

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-stata

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.do

FAQs

Which software opens files sent as application/x-stata?

The primary software for this MIME type is Stata, a statistical software package used for data science. However, since the associated DO files are plain text, they can also be viewed and edited in any standard text editor like Notepad, Sublime Text, or VS Code.

How do I configure Apache to serve Stata DO files correctly?

To ensure your Apache server sends the correct header, add the following line to your .htaccess file or main configuration: AddType application/x-stata .do. If you want browsers to display the code rather than download it, you might prefer using AddType text/plain .do instead.

Why does my browser download the .do file instead of displaying the text?

Browsers generally do not recognize the application/x-stata MIME type, so they default to downloading the file as an unknown binary object. To force the browser to render the script as text, the server must send the file with a text/plain content type or a Content-Disposition: inline header.

How do I add support for application/x-stata in Nginx?

You can add the MIME type definition to your nginx.conf or mime.types file. Inside the types { ... } block, add the line: application/x-stata do;. This ensures Nginx serves the file with the specific Stata identifier.

Is application/x-stata a standard IANA MIME type?

No, the x- prefix indicates that it is a non-standard or experimental type. While it is widely used within the Stata community and recognized by the software, it is not officially registered with the IANA like text/html or application/json.

Are files with the application/x-stata MIME type safe?

Generally, yes, as they contain plain text commands. However, because Stata scripts can execute system commands (shell commands) and manipulate local files, you should only run .do files from trusted sources to avoid potential security risks.

General 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.