> So in that sense, the MIME type is redundant for any data type that is
> already self describing (e.g., XML, SGML, most graphic formats, VRML,
> etc.). Hmmm.
Almost. The MIME type gives you *some* information about the
document even if you do not understand its type fully. For
example, something labeled "text/xml" is known to be text,
even if your application has never heard of XML. As such, it
has certain properties that can be relied on.
-- John Cowan http://www.ccil.org/~cowan cowan@ccil.org You tollerday donsk? N. You tolkatiff scowegian? Nn. You spigotty anglease? Nnn. You phonio saxo? Nnnn. Clear all so! 'Tis a Jute.... (Finnegans Wake 16.5)