What is MIME type "application/xslt+xml"?

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

application/xslt+xml is the MIME type for files containing XSL Transformations. These files define rules to convert or transform XML data into other formats like HTML or plain text. They power the process of taking raw XML and applying formatting, layout, or data restructuring.

Files that use this MIME type include those with the formats XSL and XSLT.

Primary Use: Transforms XML documents by applying a set of rules.
Conversion: Outputs content in formats such as HTML, plain text, or other XML structures.
Separation: Keeps data structure separate from presentation, aiding in maintainability.
Standardization: Based on W3C recommendations, ensuring broad compatibility and support.

For more technical details, see the W3C XSLT Recommendation or check the updated list of media types on IANA Media Types.

Associated file extensions

.xsl, .xslt

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/xslt+xml

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.xsl, .xslt

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.