The data returned by an NLST command MUST contain only a simple list of legal pathnames, such that the server can use them directly as the arguments of subsequent data transfer commands for the individual files.
The data returned by a LIST or NLST command SHOULD use an implied TYPE AN, unless the current type is EBCDIC, in which case an implied TYPE EN SHOULD be used.
Many FTP clients support macro-commands that will get or put files matching a wildcard specification, using NLST to obtain a list of pathnames. The expansion of "multiple-put" is local to the client, but "multiple- get" requires cooperation by the server.
The implied type for LIST and NLST is designed to provide compatibility with existing User-FTPs, and in particular with multiple-get commands.