What's the difference between using application/csv vs text/csv? [duplicate]

Question

What's the difference between using application/csv vs text/csv as the HTTP Accept Header?

Answer 1

A MIME type is used so software ( like a browser for example ) can know how to handle the data.

If a server says "This data is of type text/csv" the client can understand that can render that data internally, while if the server says "This data is of type application/csv" the client knows that it needs to launch the application that is registered on the OS to open csv files.

text/csv is more generic.

Answer 2

text/csv is more appropriate because application as a first part implies some interactivity. Your text file not being interactive, it should be announced as text.