Files

A File, in Astrobase, is a binary encoding for a container that includes a binary payload and its media type. It is used in all default content identifier schemes: immutable, mutable, and identity.

Format

+--------------+----------+---------+
|  Media Type  | NUL Byte | payload |
|     ASCII    |          |         |
| <= 127 bytes |  1 byte  |   ...   |
+--------------+----------+---------+

It consists of:

• ASCII media type. This is optional. If provided, it must be no more than 127 bytes. When omitted, the media type is assumed to be application/octet-stream (raw binary).
• NUL byte separator (0x00).
• The binary content payload. This may be of any length.