MIME

Standard for attaching non-text files to email messages (formatted word processing files, spreadsheets, pictures, executable files etc).

Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension to files that tell computers what kind of program to use to view or run a file. Mimes are typically plug-ins to browsers that help launch helper apps or user apps. For use of MIMEs in messaging, see Internet Messaging . (See also Plug-in )

(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.

See Also: Browser , Client , Server , Binhex , UUENCODE

See: Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions

An extension to Internet email which provides the ability to transfer non-textual data, such as graphics, audio and fax. It is defined in RFC 1341. See also: Electronic Mail

MIME ( Multipurpose Internet Mail Extentions ) A protocol for allowing e-mail messages to contain various types of media ( text,audio,video,images,spreadsheets,formatted word-processor documents,executable programs,etc.).An e-mail program is said to be MIME Compliant if it can both send and receive files using MIME.When binary files are sent using the MIME standard they are converted (encoded ) into text for mailing and then decoded by the receiving mailer.If the receiving mailer is not MIME compliant,the file is received in encoded form.If an encoded file is received with ‘Base64’ in the header,it is MIME encoded.There are Base64 decoders available separately for various operating systems.For Windows,Wincode will handle decoding offline.