What is MIME type "chemical/x-cif"?

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

The MIME type chemical/x-cif is used for crystallographic data files. It stores detailed information about crystal structures in a text format.

A Crystallographic Information File holds the positions of atoms, symmetry details, and unit cell parameters. Common imaging and data analysis software in crystallography work with these files. They help scientists exchange and archive structure data reliably.

Main use: Representing and sharing crystallographic structure information.
Key facts: Files are text-based, making them easy to read and edit.
Additional use: They enable interoperability among various crystallography tools and databases.

Files of this type are typically saved with the CIF extension. For further reading, check out CIF Resources at IUCr.

Associated file extensions

.cif

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: chemical/x-cif

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.cif

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.