8.4.2 Content Representation Header Fields

8.4.2 Content Representation Header Fields (Current)
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The media type in the Content-Type header field of a message, or payload part, describes the format of the representation contained in the payload or part.

When a message has a payload, the Content Representation Header Fields provide metadata describing how to interpret the representation(s) contained in the payload. Table 8.4.2-1 describes the Content Representation Header Fields, and the usage requirements (Mandatory, Conditional, or Optional) for when they shall be present.

Table 8.4.2-1. Content Representation Header Fields

Name	Value	Usage	Requirement
Content-Type	media-type	C	Specifies the media type of the representation contained in the payload. If a message has a payload, it shall have a Content-Type header field specifying the media type of the payload. See [RFC7231] Section 3.1.1.5.
Content-Encoding	encoding	C	Specifies any content encodings applied to the representation (beyond those inherent in the media type), and thus what decoding to apply to obtain a representation in the media type specified by the Content-Type. See [RFC7230] Section 3.1.2.2. Content-Encoding allows compression, encryption, and/or authentication of representations. Shall be present if a content encoding has been applied to the representation in the payload.
Content-Language	language	O	Specifies the natural language(s) of the intended audience used in representation. See [RFC7231] Section 3.1.3.2.
Content-Location	url	C	Contains a URL that references the specific resource corresponding to the representation in the payload. Shall be present if the payload contains a representation of a resource.