Which MIME types are related to file extension ".dll"?
The .dll file extension is associated with 7 MIME types:
application/x-msdownload, application/vnd.microsoft.portable-executable, application/octet-stream, application/efi, application/x-dosexec, application/x-ms-dos-executable, application/x-msdos-program.
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .dll Files
DLL files are dynamic link libraries that store code and data used by many programs.
They use the Windows Portable Executable format.
Based on information from FilExt.com, these files provide reusable functions that help programs run efficiently without duplicating code.
- Shared Code: Multiple applications can access the same routines for common tasks.
- MIME Types: They are identified as application/x-msdownload or application/vnd.microsoft.portable-executable, among others.
- Backward Compatibility: Some MIME types like application/x-dosexec, application/x-ms-dos-executable, and application/x-msdos-program refer to older DOS-based executables.
- Specialized Use: Certain DLLs, such as ATI The Compressonator plugin files, use the MIME type application/octet-stream or application/efi for EFI applications.
- System Integration: They play a key role in the modular function of the Windows operating system.
Programs like Microsoft Visual Studio let developers create and modify DLL files. Tools like Dependency Walker help view their internal functions and dependencies.
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
application/x-msdownload, application/vnd.microsoft.portable-executable, application/octet-stream, application/efi, application/x-dosexec, application/x-ms-dos-executable, application/x-msdos-program
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.