Which MIME types are related to file extension ".opa"?
The .opa file extension is associated with 2 MIME types:
application/octet-stream, text/x-opa.
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .opa Files
OPA files are files linked to the Psion Object/OPL format. They come in two main flavors:
- application/octet-stream: This indicates a binary file. It usually holds compiled output from the OPL language used on older Psion devices.
- text/x-opa: This marks a plain text file. It may contain source code or scripts written in OPL.
OPA files are used mainly for OPL programming. They can store program code that was created or compiled for handheld devices.
They might be opened with simple text editors if they use the text format. Binary versions require specialized tools or emulators that understand the OPL output.
Use cases include:
- Storing source code for programming on Psion devices.
- Holding compiled program output for execution on legacy systems.
Based on information from FilExt.com, these files serve a niche role today. Their dual nature—either text or binary—means you must choose the right software tool depending on your needs.
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/octet-stream, text/x-opa
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.