What is MIME type "text/x-literate-agda"?

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

The MIME type text/x-literate-agda is used for files written in a literate style for Agda. It mixes code with detailed explanations and proofs.

Files in this format use the LAGDA extension. This allows developers to integrate descriptive text and source code in a single file.

Literate Programming: Combine narrative documentation with executable code.
Proof Development: Write and verify mathematical proofs alongside code.
Code Maintenance: Enhance readability and organization of complex programs.

The text nature of this MIME type means it can be edited with any plain text editor. The x- prefix signals that it is a non-standard or experimental type. This approach aligns code with its documentation, making it easier to understand and maintain.

Learn more about MIME types at MDN and explore further Agda details in the Agda Documentation.

Associated file extensions

.lagda

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-literate-agda

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.lagda

FAQs

What is the purpose of a .lagda file?

A .lagda file contains source code for the Agda programming language written in a literate programming style. This format allows developers to intersperse executable code blocks within a rich narrative document, usually formatted in LaTeX or Markdown.

How do I configure Apache to serve text/x-literate-agda?

To ensure your web server identifies these files correctly, add the MIME type definition to your .htaccess file or main configuration. Add the line: AddType text/x-literate-agda .lagda. This helps browsers treat the file as text rather than a binary download.

Why does the MIME type start with x-?

The x- prefix in text/x-literate-agda indicates that it is a non-standard or experimental subtype. It is not officially registered with the IANA, but it is the convention used by the Agda community to distinguish literate files from standard source code.

Which editors are best for editing Literate Agda files?

While any plain text editor can open these files, Emacs (with agda-mode) is the traditional standard for Agda development. VS Code with the Agda extension is also a popular modern alternative that supports syntax highlighting and interactive type checking for this MIME type.

Can browsers execute text/x-literate-agda files?

No, web browsers cannot execute Agda code directly. If configured correctly, a browser will display the file content as plain text. To view the rendered documentation (e.g., the formatted math proofs), you usually need to compile the file to HTML using the Agda compiler.

What is the difference between text/x-agda and text/x-literate-agda?

The type text/x-agda is used for standard Agda source files (.agda) where the content is primarily code. In contrast, text/x-literate-agda (.lagda) treats the file as a document first, requiring specific markup tags to define where the code blocks begin and end.

How do I fix Nginx downloading .lagda files instead of displaying them?

If Nginx forces a download, it likely doesn't recognize the extension. You should add text/x-literate-agda lagda; to your mime.types file or inside the types { ... } block in your server configuration to ensure it is served with a text-based header.

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.