What is MIME type "text/basic"?

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

The MIME type text/basic represents plain text content written as QBasic source code.
Files with BAS use this MIME type. It tells software to treat the file as plain text containing code.

Purpose: It designates a file as containing BASIC programming language source code.
Usage: Code editors, interpreters, and compilers use it to recognize and process QBasic code.
Functionality: The file remains readable and editable in any text editor.

For more on how MIME types work, visit MIME Types Documentation.

Associated file extensions

.bas

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/basic

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="text/basic">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', 'text/basic');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.bas

FAQs

What is the primary use of the text/basic MIME type?

The text/basic MIME type is used to identify files containing source code written in the BASIC programming language, such as QBasic or Visual Basic. It informs the receiving software that the content is plain text formatted as code, often associated with the .bas file extension.

How do I configure Apache to serve .bas files as text/basic?

To ensure Apache serves BASIC source files with the correct content type, add the following line to your .htaccess file or main configuration: AddType text/basic .bas. This prevents the server from defaulting to generic text or binary types.

How do browsers handle files served as text/basic?

Since the MIME type starts with text/, most modern web browsers will attempt to display the file content directly in the browser window as plain text. This allows users to read the code without downloading the file, though syntax highlighting depends on browser extensions or server-side rendering.

What is the correct Nginx configuration for text/basic?

For Nginx, you should add the directive inside your mime.types file or within a specific types block in your server configuration. Use the format: text/basic bas; to associate the extension with the MIME type.

Why does my code editor not recognize the file type automatically?

If your editor treats a .bas file as generic text, it may not have a default association for legacy BASIC languages or the text/basic MIME type. You can usually manually select "BASIC" or "Visual Basic" from the editor's language menu or install a specific extension for syntax highlighting.

Is text/basic safer than application/octet-stream?

Yes, generally. Serving code as text/basic encourages the browser to display it as text rather than executing it or forcing a download like application/octet-stream. However, you should ensure that sensitive server-side logic is not exposed to the public if the file contains secrets.

Can I use text/plain instead of text/basic?

Yes, you can serve .bas files as text/plain, and they will still be readable in browsers and editors. However, using text/basic provides semantic meaning, helping specialized tools and indexers understand that the content is specifically BASIC source code rather than generic notes.

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 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.