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

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-vb marks plain‐text files that contain Visual Basic–style source code. It tells text editors and development tools to treat the file as code with specific syntax and formatting rules.

It handles code used in various Visual Basic environments. The type supports work such as:

Code editing: Integrated development environments use it for syntax highlighting.
Application scripts: It shows up in files used to automate tasks, like in VBA.
Interface design: It is found in files that define forms and controls.
Project structure: It distinguishes modules, classes, and components in both classic VB and VB .NET.

Files that use this MIME type include code for forms, modules, classes and more. For example, files like FRM, BAS, CLS, CTL, VBA, VB, DSR, BI, and VBHTML are all managed under this type.

This setup makes it easier for systems to process the code correctly and helps users work efficiently with Visual Basic environments.

Associated file extensions

.frm, .bas, .cls, .ctl, .vba, .vb, .dsr, .bi, .vbhtml

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-vb

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.frm, .bas, .cls, .ctl, .vba, .vb, .dsr, .bi, .vbhtml

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.