What is MIME type "image/x-portable-anymap"?

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

image/x-portable-anymap is a MIME type from the Netpbm family. It handles simple, uncompressed image files that store raw pixel data.
This type covers images that can be either text-based or binary. Its design favors fast processing and easy cross-platform sharing.
Files using this MIME type include formats like PPM, PGM, PFM, PNM, PBM, and PH.

Main use: Quick and portable image interchange for processing tasks.
Key fact: Supports images in full color, grayscale, or binary (black and white).
Application: Widely used in Unix utilities and open-source image processing tools.
Feature: Its simple structure allows both debugging and rapid file conversion.

For more details on the underlying formats, visit this reference.

Associated file extensions

.ppm, .pgm, .pfm, .pnm, .pbm, .ph

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: image/x-portable-anymap

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="image/x-portable-anymap">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/x-portable-anymap');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.ppm, .pgm, .pfm, .pnm, .pbm, .ph

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.