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

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

text/x-stata is a MIME type for plain text files that contain a list of commands for the Stata statistical software.

This type tells systems and software that the file should be processed as a text document with specific syntax. It is used in automating data analysis and reproducing results through scripted commands. The file associated with this MIME type is the DO file, which holds a sequence of instructions for Stata.

Key points include:

Automation: The file runs a series of statistical commands automatically.
Reproducibility: It helps ensure that data processing and analysis can be exactly repeated.
Editing: Being plain text, it can be opened and modified with any text editor.
Non-standard MIME type: The "x-" prefix shows that it is an experimental or unofficial type.

For more on Stata and its data commands, visit the Stata Official Website.

Associated file extensions

.do

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-stata

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.do

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.