Which MIME types are related to file extension ".fef"?
The .fef file extension is associated with 1 MIME types:
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .fef Files
FEF files are binary files generated by the Patton-Patton Flow Charting 3 Export Filter. They are stored under the MIME type application/octet-stream, which means the data is in a non-text, binary format.
These files mostly contain exported chart or flow diagram data. They are used by specific flow charting software and often need the original or a compatible program to open, view, or modify the content.
- Main Use: Exporting flow chart data from Patton-Patton Flow Charting software.
- Format Type: Binary file, not meant for direct human reading.
- Software Requirement: Typically opened by Patton-Patton Flow Charting 3 or similar applications.
- MIME Detail: Uses application/octet-stream, a generic indicator for binary files.
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
FAQs
What is an FEF file?
An .fef file is a binary data file generated by the Patton-Patton Flow Charting 3 Export Filter. It contains exported information regarding flow charts and diagrams, allowing the data to be transferred or saved within the specific Patton-Patton software environment.
How do I open an FEF file on my computer?
You need the original Patton-Patton Flow Charting 3 software or a compatible version of that application to open the file. Because this software is quite old, running it on modern operating systems (like Windows 10 or 11) might require an emulator such as DOSBox.
Can I edit FEF files with a text editor like Notepad?
No, FEF files are binary files, not plain text. If you open one in a text editor, you will see unreadable symbols because the file uses the generic binary MIME type application/octet-stream (learn more at application/octet-stream).
How can I convert an FEF file to PDF or JPG?
Direct conversion tools for this legacy format are rare or non-existent. The best approach is to open the file in the original Flow Charting software and use the "Print" function to print to a PDF driver, or export it to a standard image format if the software supports it.
Is the FEF format compatible with Microsoft Visio?
Typically, Microsoft Visio does not natively support importing FEF files from Patton-Patton Flow Charting. You would usually need to export the diagram from the original software into a vector format (like WMF or DXF) that Visio can understand.
Why does my browser identify the FEF file as 'application/octet-stream'?
This is a generic MIME type used for binary files when a specific type is not defined or recognized by the system. It indicates to the browser or OS that the file should be treated as a stream of bytes rather than a specific document type, usually prompting a download dialog.
General 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.