What is MIME type "text/x-gettext"?

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

text/x-gettext is a MIME type for plain text files that store translation data.
It marks files used in software internationalization via the Gettext system.
Instead of binary or rich text, the content is human-readable and editable.

Developers use these files to manage language catalogs. They store original messages alongside their translations using keywords like msgid and msgstr.

Main Use Case: Streamline the translation process in applications.
Other Uses:
- Handle language-specific text in software projects
- Support localization workflows with GNU Gettext tools
- Facilitate easy updates and maintenance of translation files

Files using this MIME type typically have the POT extension. This file format holds a template for the text that needs translation.

For more detailed information, visit the GNU Gettext website.

Associated file extensions

.pot

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-gettext

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.pot

FAQs

What is the primary purpose of the text/x-gettext MIME type?

This MIME type identifies Gettext source files, specifically translation templates with the .pot extension. It indicates to the operating system and web servers that the file contains plain text msgid and msgstr definitions used for software internationalization.

How do I open a file sent with the text/x-gettext content type?

Because these are plain text files, you can view them in any code editor like VS Code, Sublime Text, or Notepad. For actual translation work, specialized tools like Poedit are recommended to manage the catalog entries efficiently.

How do I configure Apache to serve .pot files as text/x-gettext?

You can map the extension to the MIME type by modifying your .htaccess file or server configuration. Add the line AddType text/x-gettext .pot to ensure the server sends the correct Content-Type header.

Why does the MIME type start with 'x-'?

The x- prefix stands for "experimental" or "extension," meaning text/x-gettext is a non-standard type not officially registered with the IANA. Despite this, it is the widely accepted convention for identifying GNU Gettext files in the development community.

Can I serve these files as text/plain instead?

Yes, serving .pot files as text/plain is a safe and common alternative since the content is human-readable. However, using text/x-gettext is specific and helps client-side applications or IDEs automatically trigger appropriate syntax highlighting or plugins.

What is the difference between text/x-gettext and application/x-gettext?

While both refer to the same file format, text/x-gettext is preferred because the content is readable text, not binary data. The application/ type is technically incorrect for .pot files but may be seen in older legacy configurations.

Does Nginx require special configuration for this MIME type?

By default, Nginx may categorize unknown extensions as application/octet-stream. To fix this, add text/x-gettext pot; inside the types { ... } block in your nginx.conf or mime.types file.

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.