Which MIME types are related to file extension ".shtm"?
The .shtm file extension is associated with 2 MIME types:
text/x-server-parsed-html, text/x-server-parsed-html3.
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .shtm Files
SHTM files are HTML documents with embedded Server Side Includes (SSI) commands.
They carry the MIME types text/x-server-parsed-html and text/x-server-parsed-html3, which tell the server to process specific instructions before sending the page to the browser.
- Main use case: Incorporating dynamic content into web pages by reusing code snippets like headers or footers.
- Key functionality: Executing SSI commands on the server to include additional files or content dynamically.
- Software/apps: Web servers such as Apache (using mod_include) and Microsoft IIS support processing these files.
- Additional use cases: Automating repetitive page elements and updating multiple pages simultaneously.
Based on information from FilExt.com, SHTM files are useful tools for managing dynamic content efficiently in web development.
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
text/x-server-parsed-html, text/x-server-parsed-html3
FAQs
What is an SHTM file?
SHTM stands for HTML with Server Side Includes (SSI). It is a web file that contains special commands processed by the web server (like Apache or IIS) to insert dynamic content—such as headers, footers, or dates—before the page is sent to the user's browser.
How do I open an SHTM file?
To view the rendered webpage, open the file in any web browser like Google Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, provided it is hosted on a web server. To edit the source code and SSI commands, use a text editor or web development tool like Visual Studio Code, Notepad++, or Adobe Dreamweaver.
What is the difference between HTML and SHTM?
Standard .html files are static and sent to the browser exactly as they are stored. .shtm files are dynamic; the server parses them to execute embedded scripts or include other files before delivery. This makes SHTM slightly slower to load but much easier to manage for large websites with shared layouts.
Why do my SHTM files look broken when opened locally?
SHTM files require a web server to process the Server Side Includes; if you double-click the file from your desktop, the browser cannot execute the commands. You must view the file through a local server environment (like XAMPP) or upload it to a web host configured for types like text/x-server-parsed-html.
How can I convert an SHTM file to HTML?
You cannot simply rename the extension, as this will break the dynamic SSI tags. To convert it, open the hosted .shtm page in your web browser so the server processes it, then right-click and select Save Page As to save the final rendered output as a standard .html file.
Is SHTM the same as SHTML?
Yes, .shtm and .shtml are functionally identical and are both used for files containing Server Side Includes. The choice of extension depends on the specific configuration of the web server and which MIME type, such as text/x-server-parsed-html3, is mapped to the file handler.
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.