What is MIME type "text/x-gooddata-maql"?

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

text/x-gooddata-maql marks plain text files that hold MAQL scripts used on the GoodData platform.
These scripts define data models, metrics, and queries. They let you instruct the analytics engine on how to process data for reporting and dashboarding.
The MAQL language is tailored to simplify complex analytic definitions. It helps translate business logic into actionable analytics.

Main use case: Structuring and automating analytic computations on GoodData.
Enables metric, dimension, and data model definitions.
Serves as a human-readable format that can be edited with any text editor.

Files using this MIME type usually end with the MAQL extension.
For further details on GoodData and its scripting language, visit GoodData.

Associated file extensions

.maql

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-gooddata-maql

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.maql

FAQs

What is the purpose of the text/x-gooddata-maql MIME type?

This MIME type identifies files containing MAQL (Multi-Dimension Analytical Query Language) scripts, which are specific to the GoodData business intelligence platform. These files, typically found with the .maql extension, are plain text documents used to define data models, metrics, and logical data relationships.

How do I configure Apache to serve .maql files correctly?

To ensure your Apache server sends the correct headers for GoodData scripts, add the following line to your .htaccess file or main configuration: AddType text/x-gooddata-maql .maql. This prevents the server from defaulting to text/plain and helps clients identify the specific content type.

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

The x- prefix indicates that text/x-gooddata-maql is a non-standard or vendor-specific media type. It is not part of the standard IANA registry but is used explicitly by GoodData and its developers to distinguish their proprietary scripting language from other text files.

Can I edit text/x-gooddata-maql files in a standard text editor?

Yes, because the base type is text, the underlying data is human-readable. You can use any editor like Notepad++, Visual Studio Code, or Sublime Text to modify these scripts. Some editors may even offer syntax highlighting plugins specifically for MAQL.

How do I add support for this MIME type in Nginx?

You can add the type to your Nginx configuration by editing the mime.types file (usually in /etc/nginx/). Add the line text/x-gooddata-maql maql; inside the types block, and then reload the server with sudo nginx -s reload to apply the changes.

Will web browsers execute text/x-gooddata-maql files?

No, browsers do not have a built-in engine to execute MAQL scripts; they will simply display the file contents as raw text or prompt you to download the file. Execution of the logic contained in the file requires the GoodData platform or its associated API tools.

Is text/x-gooddata-maql the same as SQL?

No, although both are query languages, MAQL is designed specifically for multidimensional data models within GoodData, whereas SQL is for relational databases. While a .sql file uses application/sql or text/x-sql, GoodData scripts require text/x-gooddata-maql to be correctly processed by platform-specific tools.

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.