What is MIME type "image/ascii-art"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

image/ascii-art is a MIME type used for representing images made with text. These files store pictures created by arranging characters in a deliberate pattern. They do not contain graphic data like pixels but instead rely on plain text display.

Files with TXT, ASC, or ASCII content are commonly associated with this type.

Key purposes and uses:

Art sharing: Designed for displaying hand-crafted text art.
Compatibility: Works in environments that support plain text.
Lightweight: Involves minimal data without requiring complex graphics processing.
Accessibility: Accessible through any text editor or terminal.
Historical interest: Reminiscent of early computer graphics and email art.

This MIME type is ideal for simple art applications and digital documents where graphics software is unnecessary. For more information, visit Wikipedia on ASCII art.

Associated file extensions

.txt, .asc, .ascii

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: image/ascii-art

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="image/ascii-art">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'image/ascii-art');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.txt, .asc, .ascii

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 are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.