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

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

text/x-sfv is a MIME type for files that store simple file verification data. These files are plain text and list file names with their corresponding checksum values. They commonly use a CRC32 algorithm to detect any corruption or errors in associated files.

Files with this MIME type help users verify that downloaded or archived files have not been altered. They are often used in file-sharing, archiving, and software distribution. For example, files with the SFV extension contain a list of expected checksum values for each file, allowing verification tools to quickly compare and confirm file integrity.

File Integrity: Ensures that files remain unchanged after download or transfer.
Error Detection: Identifies corruption or incomplete downloads.
Lightweight Format: Uses human-readable text data for simple verification.

This method is popular for quick and effective file verification, ensuring reliability in data transfers. For more detailed information, you can refer to additional resources on SFV files.

Associated file extensions

.sfv

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-sfv

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.sfv

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.