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

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

text/x-php is a MIME type used to mark files that contain PHP code. This code is processed on the server to generate dynamic web pages and perform other tasks.

Files using this MIME type are usually run by a PHP interpreter. They allow servers to process instructions such as accessing databases, handling forms, and managing sessions. Files like PHP, PHP3, and PHP4 fall into this category.

Main use case: Executing server-side scripts to generate dynamic content.
Other uses: Running command-line tools and server maintenance scripts.
Key fact: The MIME type informs servers and editors about the file's structure and content.

Though not officially registered with IANA, text/x-php helps tools and software provide proper syntax highlighting and file handling. For more detailed information about MIME types, visit MDN’s MIME Types documentation.

Associated file extensions

.php, .php3, .php4

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-php

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.php, .php3, .php4

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.