Definitions for teachers by teachers
MIME Type
MIME TYPEMultipurpose Internet Mail Extensions. Extensions to the Internet mail format that allow it to carry multiple types of data (binary, audio, video, graphics, etc.) as attachments to email messages. This is a method of identifying files such that the first packet of information received by a client, contains information about the type of file the server has sent.
What this means to you: MIME allows you to send pictures attached to your email. Your email program (Eudora) does this for you automatically.
For more information see MIME Information and Resources.
by Margie Adkins
MIME TYPE
(Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) -- The standard for attaching non-text files to standard Internet mail messages. Non-text files include graphics, spreadsheets, formatted word-processor documents, sound files, etc.
An email program is said to be MIME Compliant if it can both send and receive files using the MIME standard.
When non-text files are sent using the MIME standard they are converted (encoded) into text - although the resulting text is not really readable.
Generally speaking the MIME standard is a way of specifying both the type of file being sent (e.g. a Quicktime™ video file), and the method that should be used to turn it back into its original form.
Besides email software, the MIME standard is also universally used by Web Servers to identify the files they are sending to Web Clients, in this way new file formats can be accommodated simply by updating the Browsers’ list of pairs of MIME-Types and appropriate software for handling each type.
by Brian Weinert
NetHandbook Glossary | NetHandbook Home page
Last updated: 31 July 2000