What is MIME type "text/x-c++src"?

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

text/x-c++src is a MIME type that signals a file holds C++‐style source code. It tells applications that the content is plain text intended for programming, so editors and tools can enable syntax highlighting and apply proper formatting rules.

The "x-" prefix shows that this type is experimental. It isn’t registered with official standards but is widely used by development tools and web services.

It is mainly used to ensure that code files are treated as text and processed correctly by compilers, editors, or online repositories.

Source Code Display: Editors use it to apply C++ syntax rules and color coding.
Proper Parsing: Tools use it to detect code structure and comments accurately.
Web Presentation: Web pages serving code benefit by preventing browsers from misinterpreting code as HTML.

Files carrying this MIME type include those with extensions such as CPP, CC, and H. Other file types—like INO, ASH, or even formats for specialized scripting—are sometimes tagged with it because their syntax is similar to traditional C++ code.

This consistent labeling helps maintain a uniform development environment across different tools and platforms. For further details on how media types work, visit Media type (Wikipedia).

Associated file extensions

.asc, .ino, .gml, .h, .inc, .cpp, .c++, .cc, .hpp, .as, .c, .tpp, .cp, .nut, .txx, .ipp, .edc, .tcc, .cxx, .i, .ash, .re, .hh, .hxx, .ixx, .cu, .inl, .h++, .angelscript, .cppm, .cuh, .metal

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-c++src

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.asc, .ino, .gml, .h, .inc, .cpp, .c++, .cc, .hpp, .as, .c, .tpp, .cp, .nut, .txx, .ipp, .edc, .tcc, .cxx, .i, .ash, .re, .hh, .hxx, .ixx, .cu, .inl, .h++, .angelscript, .cppm, .cuh, .metal

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.