What is MIME type "text/play"?

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

The MIME type text/play is a plain text format designed for specific configuration files. It conveys instructions for a floppy disk emulator. These files are human-readable and can be edited in any basic text editor.
The details it carries include commands and settings that allow the emulator to mimic a physical floppy drive accurately.
The file associated with this MIME type is typically a PAR file.

Main use: configuring floppy disk emulators
Key fact: It is written in plain text, which makes troubleshooting simple.
Additional use: It helps users customize emulator behavior by changing settings directly.

For more on MIME types, check out MIME Types on MDN.

Associated file extensions

.par

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/play

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.par

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.