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

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-haskell is used for files that mix code and documentation. It marks files written in the literate programming style of Haskell. These files let you embed explanations alongside the code. They are most commonly seen with the file extension LHS.

Purpose: To support literate programming by combining code and human-readable text.
Functionality: Editors and build tools can parse the file and separate the explanatory text from executable code.
Usage: Often used in educational materials, self-documenting programs, and projects where clarity is key.

This MIME type is a non-standard type (prefixed with "x-"), often recognized in Haskell development environments. For more information about Haskell, visit the Haskell Official Site.

Associated file extensions

.lhs

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-literate-haskell

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.lhs

FAQs

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

The MIME type text/x-haskell is used for standard Haskell source files (.hs), which contain only code and comments. In contrast, text/x-literate-haskell is used for Literate Haskell (.lhs), where the file is primarily documentation with embedded executable code blocks.

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

You can map the file extension to the MIME type by adding a directive to your .htaccess or httpd.conf file. Add the line AddType text/x-literate-haskell .lhs to ensure browsers and clients recognize the content type.

Can web browsers execute files with the text/x-literate-haskell content type?

No, web browsers do not have built-in support to run Haskell code. If a server sends this MIME type, the browser will typically display the file contents as text or prompt the user to download the file.

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

The x- prefix indicates that text/x-literate-haskell is a non-standard or experimental type not officially registered with IANA. Despite this, it is the de facto standard used by the Haskell community and tools like GHC for identifying Literate Haskell source files.

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

Open your mime.types file or the types block in your Nginx configuration. Add the line text/x-literate-haskell lhs; and reload the server to ensure proper delivery of .lhs files.

What formats are valid inside a text/x-literate-haskell file?

These files generally support two styles: "Bird tracks," where code lines start with >, and LaTeX-style, where code is enclosed in \begin{code} and \end{code} blocks. The compiler treats everything outside these markers as comments or documentation.

What should I do if my .lhs file downloads as text/plain?

This indicates the web server is not configured to recognize the .lhs extension and is falling back to a default type. You should update your server configuration to explicitly associate .lhs with text/x-literate-haskell.

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.