What is MIME type "image/x-riscos-sprite"?

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

image/x-riscos-sprite is a MIME type for sprite images made for the RISC OS platform.

These files store bitmap graphics that were used as building blocks for icons and user interface elements.
They often contain data about color depth, transparency, and layout.

Main use: Displaying graphic sprites in RISC OS applications.
Additional uses: Icon creation, window decoration, and interface graphics.
They help keep memory use low by handling small images efficiently.

A file type commonly linked to this MIME is ACORN.

For more technical details on RISC OS sprites, explore resources on RISC OS.

Associated file extensions

.acorn

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: image/x-riscos-sprite

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.acorn

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.