RFC 1806 (rfc1806) - Page 1 of 8

Communicating Presentation Information in Internet Messages: The Content-Disposition Header

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