What is MIME type "text/x-ttcn-asn"?

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

text/x-ttcn-asn is a MIME type for plain text files that use a TTCN-style syntax to express ASN.1 definitions. These files serve to define data structures and protocol messages in a structured way.

They are typically used by testing systems and protocol verification tools. This helps in areas such as telecommunications testing where clear data definitions are needed.

Primary Use: Representing structured data formats for protocol testing and message design.
Other Uses: Assisting in automated test suite development and protocol simulation environments.

Files that use this MIME type often have extensions like ASN or ASN1.

Associated file extensions

.asn, .asn1

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-ttcn-asn

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.asn, .asn1

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.