Why does the MIP SDK read the document name instead of the mime type to determine supported document types?

Pat Fennessy 0 Reputation points
2024-11-06T13:01:56.85+00:00

OpenText Content Management has an integration with MS Sensitivity Labels (AIP).

Users create documents with a .doc extension (out of habit) even through the document is mime type is .doc (application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document). The MIP SDK is reading the document name with extension .docx and not the docx mime type. The MIP SDK treats the document as an unsupported doc document and does not apply the Sensitivity Label. It would be better if the MIP SDK referenced the document mime type. Thanks.

Microsoft Security | Microsoft Purview
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  1. phemanth 15,765 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2024-11-06T21:29:11.72+00:00

    @Pat Fennessy

    Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

    The behavior you're observing with the MIP SDK (Microsoft Information Protection Software Development Kit) reading the document name instead of the MIME type to determine supported document types can be attributed to a few key reasons:

    1. Legacy Compatibility: Many systems and applications have historically relied on file extensions rather than MIME types to identify file types. This is particularly true in environments where users are accustomed to certain file extensions (like .doc) and may not be aware of the underlying MIME types. By using file extensions, the SDK can maintain compatibility with existing user habits and workflows.
    2. Simplicity and Performance: Checking the file extension is generally a simpler and faster operation than determining the MIME type, especially if the file is being processed in a context where the MIME type might not be readily available or could require additional overhead to ascertain.
    3. User Expectations: Users typically expect that the file extension they see in the file system will dictate how the file is treated by applications. If the SDK were to prioritize MIME types over extensions, it could lead to confusion or unexpected behavior for users who are accustomed to working with specific file types based on their extensions.
    4. Integration Specifics: In integrations with systems like OpenText Content Management, there may be specific requirements or conventions that dictate how files are processed. If the integration was designed with file extensions in mind, it might not account for the nuances of MIME types.
    5. Potential for Errors: Relying solely on MIME types could introduce errors if the MIME type is incorrectly set or if there are discrepancies in how different systems handle MIME types. File extensions provide a more consistent way to identify file types across various platforms.

    Hope this helps. Do let us know if you any further queries.

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