RFC 1806 (rfc1806) - Page 1 of 8
Communicating Presentation Information in Internet Messages: The Content-Disposition Header
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group R. Troost
Request for Comments: 1806 New Century Systems
Category: Experimental S. Dorner
QUALCOMM Incorporated
June 1995
Communicating Presentation Information in
Internet Messages:
The Content-Disposition Header
Status of this Memo
This memo defines an Experimental Protocol for the Internet
community. This memo does not specify an Internet standard of any
kind. Discussion and suggestions for improvement are requested.
Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Abstract
This memo provides a mechanism whereby messages conforming to the
[RFC 1521] ("MIME") specification can convey presentational
information. It specifies a new "Content-Disposition" header,
optional and valid for any [RFC 1521] entity ("message" or "body
part"). Two values for this header are described in this memo; one
for the ordinary linear presentation of the body part, and another to
facilitate the use of mail to transfer files. It is expected that
more values will be defined in the future, and procedures are defined
for extending this set of values.
This document is intended as an extension to [RFC 1521]. As such, the
reader is assumed to be familiar with [RFC 1521], and [RFC 822]. The
information presented herein supplements but does not replace that
found in those documents.
1. Introduction
[RFC 1521] specifies a standard format for encapsulating multiple
pieces of data into a single Internet message. That document does not
address the issue of presentation styles; it provides a framework for
the interchange of message content, but leaves presentation issues
solely in the hands of mail user agent (MUA) implementors.
Two common ways of presenting multipart electronic messages are as a
main document with a list of separate attachments, and as a single
document with the various parts expanded (displayed) inline. The
display of an attachment is generally construed to require positive
action on the part of the recipient, while inline message components
Troost & Dorner Experimental