Which MIME types are related to file extension ".ng"?
The .ng 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 .ng Files
NG files are binary files used for Expert Help hypertext content. They follow the MIME type application/octet-stream, which means they store data in a non-text, binary format.
They are designed to house interactive help and hyperlinked documentation. This makes them useful in software systems that offer built-in expert help features.
- Data Format: Binary data marked by the application/octet-stream MIME type.
- Primary Use: Storing Expert Help hypertext for specialized software help systems.
- Software: Open with dedicated help viewers or editors, not basic text editors.
- Functionality: Supports interactive, hyperlinked information for guided assistance.
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 .ng file?
An .ng file is a binary database used to store Expert Help hypertext content, originally associated with the Norton Guides system. These files contain compiled, hyperlinked documentation often used for programming references and software manuals.
How do I open an .ng file on Windows?
Because .ng files are binary databases, you cannot view them with a standard text editor. You need a specialized viewer like WinNG or a DOS emulator running the original Norton Guides engine. Alternatively, you can use conversion tools to turn the content into readable text.
Can I convert .ng files to HTML?
Yes, utilities such as ng2html are available (often on Linux or via command line) to convert the proprietary NG format into standard HTML. This allows you to browse the hyperlinked help content using any modern web browser.
Why does my browser download .ng files instead of opening them?
Browsers do not natively support the Norton Guides format. The server usually sends the file with the MIME type application/octet-stream, which instructs the browser to treat it as a generic binary file and download it. You can find more details about this behavior at mime-type.com.
What is the correct MIME type for .ng files?
There is no specific registered MIME type for .ng files, so they default to the generic binary type. They are most commonly identified as application/octet-stream to ensure they are handled as binary data during transfer.
Can I edit an .ng file with Notepad?
No, opening an .ng file in Notepad will result in garbled text and symbols. The file contains compiled binary data, indexes, and compression that require the original Expert Help compiler tools to edit or recreate properly.
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.