What is MIME type "text/x-server-parsed-html3"?

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-server-parsed-html3 is used for HTML files that the server processes before sending them to your browser. It tells the server to read and execute embedded commands, a process often called Server Side Includes (SSI).

This processing makes it easy to update common page elements like headers or footers. The server inserts dynamic content into the HTML file on the fly.

Dynamic Content: The server evaluates SSI commands to include data from other files or scripts.
Modular Design: You can maintain shared elements (e.g., navigation menus) in one place and use them across many pages.
Site Management: Updates in one include file automatically refresh all pages that use it.

Files using this MIME type include ones with the extensions STM, SHTML, SHT, and SHTM.

For further technical details, check out the Apache SSI Documentation.

Associated file extensions

.stm, .shtml, .sht, .shtm

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-server-parsed-html3

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="text/x-server-parsed-html3">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-server-parsed-html3');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.stm, .shtml, .sht, .shtm

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.