What is MIME type "image/x-vff"?

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

image/x-vff identifies a legacy image format used by Sun systems.
It encodes image data in a proprietary way tied to the Sun TAAC technology.
Files in this format store pixel information along with image metadata. This ensures proper rendering on systems built for Sun graphics.
Key points:

Intended Use: Display and storage of images on legacy Sun and Unix systems.
Functionality: Encodes both image data and essential metadata for proper viewing.
Specialized Environment: Optimized for systems relying on Sun TAAC image handling.

This MIME type is associated with file types such as IFF, VFF, SUNIFF, and TAAC.
For more on image formats and MIME types, check the IANA Image Media Types resource.

Associated file extensions

.iff, .vff, .suniff, .taac

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: image/x-vff

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.iff, .vff, .suniff, .taac

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.