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

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-python marks files that contain Python code. It tells software that the file is plain text meant to be interpreted as a Python script.

Main Function: It directs code editors and execution environments to treat the file as Python, enabling proper syntax highlighting and error checking.
Execution Context: Web servers and other systems can recognize these files for running scripts, such as in CGI setups.
Specialized Uses: It is used in domains like Snakemake, Sage, and Starlark, ensuring that related scripts are handled correctly.

Files using this MIME type are associated with many file extensions. Common examples include PY and PYW. Other extensions include RPY, SAGE, SPEC, CGI, TAC, SAGEWS, SMK, STAR, FCGI, EB, GNI, LMI, XPY, BZL, GN, GYP, GYPI, MOJO, NUMPY, NUMPYW, NUMSC, PY3, PYDE, PYI, PYP, PYT, SNAKEFILE, WSGI, and XSH.

This MIME type serves as a guide for programs. It ensures that Python code is recognized and processed correctly. For more details on media types, visit the IANA Media Types page.

Associated file extensions

.py, .rpy, .pyw, .sage, .spec, .cgi, .tac, .sagews, .smk, .star, .fcgi, .eb, .gni, .lmi, .xpy, .bzl, .gn, .gyp, .gypi, .mojo, .numpy, .numpyw, .numsc, .py3, .pyde, .pyi, .pyp, .pyt, .snakefile, .wsgi, .xsh

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-python

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

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.