What is MIME type "chemical/x-gaussian-input"?

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

Chemical/x-gaussian-input is a MIME type that marks text files meant for computational chemistry software. It instructs the Gaussian software on how to run simulations.
Files of this type follow a strict syntax. They list molecule details, calculation methods, and basis sets. They are plain text and can be edited in any text editor.
This MIME type is mainly linked with GJF files.
Functionality: The file tells the Gaussian program what molecular data to analyze and which computational strategies to use.
It includes keywords that define charge, multiplicity, atomic coordinates, and method specifics.
Errors in formatting can lead to failed computations.
For more on computational chemistry file types, visit Gaussian.

Associated file extensions

.gjf

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: chemical/x-gaussian-input
  

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.gjf

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.