What is MIME type "text/xml (deprecated)"?

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

MIME type text/xml (deprecated) designates XML content that is treated as plain text. This type tells systems that the file uses XML markup for its structure and data.


Historically, this MIME type was common when XML was emerging. It enabled browsers and other applications to display XML as text. However, it lacks robust encoding handling. Newer standards now favor application/xml, which better manages character sets and parsing.



File formats like FRM, XFDL, and XFD relied on this MIME type. These files use the Extensible Forms Description Language to define complex form structures.



Note: Modern systems avoid using text/xml to prevent misinterpretation of encoding. Instead, using application/xml is recommended. For additional details, see W3C XML MIME Types.

Associated file extensions

.frm, .xfdl, .xfd

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/xml (deprecated)

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.frm, .xfdl, .xfd

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.