Which MIME types are related to file extension ".prn"?
The .prn file extension is associated with 3 MIME types:
application/vnd.hp-pcl, application/octet-stream, text/plain.
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .prn Files
PRN files are printer output files that contain commands intended for a printer.
They are often generated when you print a document and save the job's output. Different MIME types describe various formats inside a PRN file.
- application/vnd.hp-pcl – These files use HP Printer Command Language (PCL). They include commands (like ESC+E) used by HP printers.
- application/octet-stream – In this format, PRN files hold binary data. They may represent printer definitions from older MS-DOS systems.
- text/plain – In this case, the file contains plain text printer escape codes. The commands are visible and editable in basic text editors.
Based on information from FilExt.com, PRN files are key for managing how print jobs are formatted and executed.
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/vnd.hp-pcl, application/octet-stream, text/plain
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.