WebObjects: Direct Connect HTTP Server Does Not Serve All MIME Types

1. Put a new MIME type file in your Web server document root.

2. Start the WebObjects application in direct connect mode on the proper port (port XXX).

3. Attempt to access the MIME file using the standard (http://localhost:XXX/MIMEfilename.yyy), where yyy is the MIME type's filename extension.

Solution

WebObjects includes MIME.plist in the JavaWebObjects.framework, or in the WebObjects.framework in WebObjects 4.5.1 and earlier. The MIME.plist maps MIME file extensions to MIME file types. WebObjects applications in Direct Connect mode access the MIME.plist file, which instructs browsers how to treat data they are about to receive. The MIME.plist file is static and sometimes omits the MIME types that developers wish to use. Typically, new media types are introduced more frequently than WebObjects is updated. In order to use new media types, developers need to be able to introduce these new media types in their WebObjects applications.

Updating the MIME.plist

Developers can update MIME.plist with media types that are not already listed, so that WebObjects can serve the new media types. The steps for adding media types is listed in the subsections below. The example used Flash files, which are supported in WebObjects 5.2, but the steps are identical for adding other media types not listed in the MIME.plist file.

Developer Note: if a MIME type is missing from the MIME.plist, submit a bug report at (http://bugreport.apple.com), so the MIME.plist can be updated with new media types in future releases.

Adding Media Types in WebObjects 4.5.1 and Earlier on Mac OS X

These steps explain how to add support for Flash Files, but can used for other media types, too. Simply use the proper media type information in step 3.

1. Locate /System/Library/Frameworks/WebObjects.framework/Resources/MIME.plist

2. Either Open MIME.plist with a text editor or
Open MIME.plist with the Property List Editor application.

3. Add "swf" = "application/x-shockwave-flash" inside the braces.
Add this line between the '{' and the '}'.

4. Open the WebObjects application again, and it will serve the Flash files.

These steps explain how to add support for Flash Files, but can used for other media types, too. Simply use the proper media type information in step 3.

1. Locate /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaWebObjects.framework/Resources/ MIME.plist

2. Either Open MIME.plist with a text editor or
Open MIME.plist with the Property List Editor application.

3. Add "swf" = "application/x-shockwave-flash" inside the braces.
Add this line between the '{' and the '}'.

4. Open the WebObjects application again, and it will serve the Flash files.

These steps explain how to add support for Flash Files, but can used for other media types, too. Simply use the proper media type information in step 3.

1. Locate $NEXT_ROOT\\Library\\Frameworks\\WebObjects.framework\\Resources\\MIME.plist

2. Open MIME.plist with a text editor

3. Add "swf" = "application/x-shockwave-flash" inside the braces.
Add this line between the '{' and the '}'.

4. Open the WebObjects application again, and it will serve the Flash files.

1. Locate $NEXT_ROOT\\Library\\Frameworks\\JavaWebObjects.framework\\Resources\\MIME.p list

2. Open MIME.plist with a text editor

3. Add "swf" = "application/x-shockwave-flash" inside the braces.
Add this line between the '{' and the '}'.

4. Open the WebObjects application again, and it will serve the Flash files.