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

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

text/x-literate-idris is a MIME type for files that mix code and documentation. It tells programs the file is a literate programming document.

Files with this type often use the file extension LIDR. These files contain both explanations and Idris source code. The approach helps users understand the logic while reading detailed commentary.

This MIME type is linked to the Idris programming language.
It enables syntax-aware editors to format both regular text and code segments.
It serves educational, maintenance, and research purposes by combining documentation with source code.
It improves code readability by allowing the programmer to include context and reasoning alongside the code.

For more on literate programming, check out this resource. For details on Idris, see the Idris website.

Associated file extensions

.lidr

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-literate-idris

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.lidr

FAQs

What is the purpose of a .lidr file?

A .lidr file contains source code written in Literate Idris, a format that treats the file as a document first and code second. The MIME type text/x-literate-idris tells compilers and editors that the file contains interleaved text and code, distinguishing it from standard [[/file-extension/IDR/|.idr]] files.

How do I configure Apache to serve literate Idris files?

To ensure your Apache server identifies these files correctly, add the MIME type definition to your .htaccess or httpd.conf file. Add the line AddType text/x-literate-idris .lidr to map the extension to the correct content type.

How do I add text/x-literate-idris support to Nginx?

You need to update your mime.types file or the types block within your nginx.conf. Insert the line text/x-literate-idris lidr; and reload the server to serve these files with the correct header.

Why do web browsers download .lidr files instead of displaying them?

Browsers generally do not recognize the text/x-literate-idris subtype and often default to downloading unknown types. Since the content is text-based, you can force the browser to display it by setting the Content-Disposition header to inline on your server.

What is the difference between standard Idris files and Literate Idris files?

Standard Idris files usually contain just code and comments, whereas Literate Idris files (text/x-literate-idris) allow you to write a full document (often in Markdown or LaTeX) where code blocks are embedded. This approach is ideal for writing tutorials or research papers directly executable by the Idris compiler.

Is text/x-literate-idris a standard MIME type?

No, the x- prefix indicates that it is a non-standard or experimental type not registered with IANA. However, it is the convention used by the Idris community and tools to identify literate source files.

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.