What is MIME type "application/x-xfig"?
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
application/x-xfig is a MIME type for vector drawing files used in Unix systems. It is linked to the FIG file format. This format is tied to the xfig drawing program.
Key uses include:
- Creating and exchanging technical diagrams and illustrations.
- Storing scalable vector graphics using simple, text-based commands.
- Facilitating conversion to other file formats (e.g., PostScript, PDF) via utilities like fig2dev.
The file format keeps drawing instructions in plain text. This makes editing and automated processing easier.
For more details on xfig and its capabilities, see Xfig on Wikipedia.
Associated file extensions
Usage Examples
HTTP Header
When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:
Content-Type: application/x-xfig
HTML
In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:
<a href="file.dat" type="application/x-xfig">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-xfig');
res.end('Content here');
}).listen(3000);
Associated file extensions
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.