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

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

text/x-smarty marks files that hold template code for generating dynamic web content.
It tells servers and editors to treat these files as plain text with specialized syntax. The code separates structure from logic, a practice common in web development.

Template Processing: The files work with template engines (like Smarty) to weave code and design.
Editor Support: They trigger syntax highlighting and proper code recognition in text editors.
Web Application Development: They help keep presentation separate from business logic.

Commonly, this MIME type is applied to TPL files used by Smarty. It is also seen with similar template formats such as LATTE and MUSTACHE.
Since it is not an official Internet standard, its use mainly benefits development environments by providing proper file handling and editor support.
For more on Smarty and its template system, visit Smarty Official Site.

Associated file extensions

.tpl, .latte, .mustache

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-smarty

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.tpl, .latte, .mustache

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.