Which MIME types are related to file extension ".wsm"?
The .wsm 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 .wsm Files
WSM files are WordStar Macro files. They store macro commands in a binary format using the MIME type application/octet-stream.
- Main Purpose: Automate editing tasks in the WordStar environment.
- Binary Format: Not human-readable; it is processed by software.
- Software: Primarily used with the legacy WordStar word processor or tools made for macro editing.
- Usage: Often run predefined operations to speed up document processing.
Based on information from FilExt.com.
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 a .wsm file?
A .wsm file is a macro file used by the legacy word processing software WordStar. It contains a recorded series of keystrokes or commands saved in a binary format, allowing users to automate repetitive editing tasks within the WordStar interface.
How do I open a .wsm file on a modern computer?
Because WordStar is a DOS-based application, you cannot open .wsm files natively on Windows 10 or macOS. You must run the original WordStar software using an MS-DOS emulator, such as DOSBox or vDos.
Can I edit a .wsm file using Notepad?
No, .wsm files are stored in a binary format, not plain text. Opening one in a text editor like Notepad will result in unreadable garbled characters; you need to use the macro editing tools within WordStar to modify the commands.
What is the MIME type for .wsm files?
Since .wsm files are proprietary binary data, they typically use the generic MIME type application/octet-stream. For more details on how generic binary streams are handled, you can check mime-type.com.
Are .wsm files dangerous?
Generally, .wsm files are safe because they can only be executed within the specific WordStar environment. Unlike modern Word macros which can affect the operating system, WordStar macros are confined to the legacy software, though you should always be cautious with unknown binary files.
How can I convert a .wsm file to a modern script?
There are no standard converters to turn WordStar macros into modern scripts (like Python or VBA). You would need to run the macro in WordStar via an emulator to observe its function and then manually recreate the logic in your modern software of choice.
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.