What is MIME type "text/vnd.sosi"?

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

text/vnd.sosi is the MIME type for files using the SOSI format. This format is a structured plain-text system that holds geospatial data. It is mainly used in Norway where SOSI stands for Samordnet Opplegg for Stedfestet Informasjon.

Purpose and functionality:
The format stores mapping and geographical information in plain text. It allows both humans and software to read and edit the data easily. The structured text makes it simple to integrate with specialized GIS applications and other data-processing tools.

Key use cases:

Mapping and GIS Data: The format carries coordinated spatial data used in geographic information systems.
Data Exchange: It is used to share detailed geographic information between agencies and professionals.
Surveying and Land Management: The format supports the recording of intricate details about terrain and location.

Files using this MIME type have the file extension SOS.

For additional technical details about MIME types and standards, see the IANA registry.

Associated file extensions

.sos

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/vnd.sosi

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.sos

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.