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

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

application/x-stuffitx is a MIME type for archived files made with the StuffIt compression format. It indicates that the file holds bundled data that has been compressed.
Files in this format, like SITX, are used to store and share multiple items in one package.

Main use case: Efficient archival and compression of data.
Distribution of bundled files.
Backup and storage of file collections.
Transfer of software packages and related content.

Functionality: The type signals to compatible programs, such as StuffIt Expander, that the file should be decompressed to access its contents. This approach was popular on Mac systems and still finds use on PCs for handling legacy archives.
For more details, visit Filext.

Associated file extensions

.sitx

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-stuffitx

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.sitx

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.