What is MIME type "application/x-votable+xml"?

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

application/x-votable+xml is an MIME type that signals data in the VOTable format.
It uses an XML structure to represent table data with its metadata and layout. This makes it easy to exchange and process the data with standard XML tools.

Astronomy Data Exchange: It is used to share astronomical catalogs and survey results.
Interoperability: Different software tools can read and process VOTable data.
Data Archiving: It archives structured astronomical data reliably.
Virtual Observatory Projects: It supports large-scale data queries and networked information systems in astronomy.

Files using this MIME type are often saved with the XML or VOT extension.
The format is widely recognized in the astronomical community for its flexible, readable structure.
Learn more about MIME types on the Wikipedia page on Internet media types.

Associated file extensions

.xml, .vot

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-votable+xml

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.xml, .vot

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.