Which MIME types are related to file extension ".diff"?
The .diff file extension is associated with 3 MIME types:
text/x-diff, text/x-patch, application/octet-stream.
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .diff Files
DIFF files are files that show changes between text documents.
They store differences line by line in plain text and are commonly created by diff tools.
- Primary use: Comparing two versions of a file to highlight modifications.
- Technical detail: They typically use the MIME types text/x-diff or text/x-patch.
- Alternative usage: In some cases, the extension is linked to the application/octet-stream MIME type for Magic Lantern DIFF animation.
- Software compatibility: These files can be viewed or edited by text editors such as Notepad, Notepad++, or Visual Studio Code, and are processed by patch utilities in many operating systems.
Relationship between file extension and MIME type
A file extension is a suffix at the end of a filename that indicates what type of file it is. File extensions help both users and operating systems identify what application should be used to open the file.
File extensions are typically separated from the filename by a period (dot) and consist of 2-4 characters, though they can be longer. For example, in the filename "document.pdf", ".pdf" is the file extension.
File extensions are closely related to MIME types, as they both serve to identify the format of a file. However, while MIME types are used primarily by web browsers and servers, file extensions are used by operating systems and applications.
Associated MIME types
text/x-diff, text/x-patch, application/octet-stream
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 can one extension have multiple MIME types?
Different programs and historical usage may assign various MIME identifiers to the same file format. Listing them together helps maintain compatibility across tools.