The Calendaring and Scheduling Core Object Specification is intended for use as a MIME content type.
To
ietf-types@iana.org
Subject
Registration of media type text/calendar
Type name: text
Subtype name: calendar
Required parameters: none
Optional parameters: charset, method, component, and optinfo
The "charset" parameter is defined in [RFC2046] for subtypes of the "text" media type. It is used to indicate the charset used in the body part. The charset supported by this revision of iCalendar is UTF-8. The use of any other charset is deprecated by this revision of iCalendar; however, note that this revision requires that compliant applications MUST accept iCalendar streams using either the UTF-8 or US-ASCII charset.
The "method" parameter is used to convey the iCalendar object method or transaction semantics for the calendaring and scheduling information. It also is an identifier for the restricted set of properties and values of which the iCalendar object consists. The parameter is to be used as a guide for applications interpreting the information contained within the body part. It SHOULD NOT be used to exclude or require particular pieces of information unless the identified method definition specifically calls for this behavior. Unless specifically forbidden by a particular method definition, a text/calendar content type can contain any set of properties permitted by the Calendaring and Scheduling Core Object Specification. The "method" parameter MUST be specified and MUST be set to the same value as the "METHOD" component property of the iCalendar objects of the iCalendar stream if and only if the iCalendar objects in the iCalendar stream all have a "METHOD" component property set to the same value.
The value for the "method" parameter is defined as follows:
method = 1*(ALPHA / DIGIT / "-") ; IANA-registered iCalendar object method
The "component" parameter conveys the type of iCalendar calendar component within the body part. If the iCalendar object contains more than one calendar component type, then multiple component parameters MUST be specified.
The value for the "component" parameter is defined as follows:
component = "VEVENT" / "VTODO" / "VJOURNAL" / "VFREEBUSY" / "VTIMEZONE" / iana-token / x-name
The "optinfo" parameter conveys optional information about the iCalendar object within the body part. This parameter can only specify semantics already specified by the iCalendar object and that can be otherwise determined by parsing the body part. In addition, the optional information specified by this parameter MUST be consistent with that information specified by the iCalendar object. For example, it can be used to convey the "Attendee" response status to a meeting request. The parameter value consists of a string value.
The parameter can be specified multiple times.
The value for the "optinfo" parameter is defined as follows:
optinfo = infovalue / qinfovalue
infovalue = iana-token / x-name
qinfovalue = DQUOTE (infovalue) DQUOTE
Encoding considerations: This media type can contain 8bit characters, so the use of quoted-printable or base64 MIME Content- Transfer-Encodings might be necessary when iCalendar objects are transferred across protocols restricted to the 7bit repertoire. Note that a text valued property in the content entity can also have content encoding of special characters using a BACKSLASH character escapement technique. This means that content values can end up being encoded twice. Security considerations: See Section 7.
Interoperability considerations: This media type is intended to define a common format for conveying calendaring and scheduling information between different systems. It is heavily based on the earlier [VCAL] industry specification.
Published specification: This specification.
Applications that use this media type: This media type is designed for widespread use by Internet calendaring and scheduling applications. In addition, applications in the workflow and document management area might find this content-type applicable. The iTIP [2446bis], iMIP [2447bis], and CalDAV [RFC4791] Internet protocols directly use this media type also.
Additional information:
Magic number(s): None.
File extension(s): The file extension of "ics" is to be used to designate a file containing (an arbitrary set of) calendaring and scheduling information consistent with this MIME content type.
The file extension of "ifb" is to be used to designate a file containing free or busy time information consistent with this MIME content type.
Macintosh file type code(s): The file type code of "iCal" is to be used in Apple MacIntosh operating system environments to designate a file containing calendaring and scheduling information consistent with this MIME media type.
The file type code of "iFBf" is to be used in Apple MacIntosh operating system environments to designate a file containing free or busy time information consistent with this MIME media type.
Person & email address to contact for further information: See the "Author's Address" section of this document.
Intended usage: COMMON
Restrictions on usage: There are no restrictions on where this media type can be used.
Author
See the "Author's Address" section of this document. Change controller: IETF