What does PDF stand for?
PDF stands for Portable Document Format. It was developed and is controlled by Adobe scans.
What is PDF?
PDF is known as a Portable Document Format that stores text and images that can be opened on any operating system thus, It makes it easier for the user to share and store. PDF is the most common file used nowadays. Whenever you see a file that ends with .pdf that means it is a pdf file.
When was PDF introduced?
PDFs were introduced in the 1990s to view documents in the form of electronic images. It was created by adobe systems.
Why do you need PDF?
- Let's say you create an article on Microsoft word and share it as a .docx file which is the default setting format for word documents. Unless everyone has Microsoft word on their devices, there is no certainty that they would be able to view the article you created. And also the edits you add to your article like font size, graphics, etc in a word document, it might happen that the receiver of your document might not have the same font style in their version of the word document. Thus, it means the document will only be readable if that particular font style is installed on their computers.
- PDF files on the other hand are not meant for editing but only for viewing. One reason that PDF files are so popular is that they preserve the originally created document. Sharing your document as a PDF file would ensure that everyone would be able to view the file as intended.
How did the electronic paper get defined as PDF?
PDF by design is electronic paper. It is built by a person to work in the same way in all places. No other format comprises of these attributes which is why it is one of the most popular formats among users.
What are the advantages of PDF?
The advantages of a PDF file are as follows:
1.Portable:
It is portable which means the file can be opened on any device, regardless of the operating system. You can read a PDF file anywhere just with the help of free tools like Adobe reader. Even without a pdf reader, the format can be observed on just about any internet browser. Pdf is also compatible with a mobile phone which adds to its popularity amongst its users.
2. Accessible:
PDF documents are very light therefore data sharing is very fast. It cuts down on storage space and upload time of the document. Microsoft formats such as Word, PPT, and excel can be saved in the form of a PDF.
3. Free To Use:
PDF files can be stored, analyzed, and observed absolutely free of cost.
4.Securable:
The PDF documents are highly secured. It follows an easy way of sharing files and data through emails. You can also change the level of user access. PDF ensures no one forges your document without your permission. You can add levels of protection in a PDF.
5. Interactive Functions:
PDF also allows users to add interactive forms which can help in importing and exporting data as desired.
6. Preserve :
If you added effects to your document and want to convert your document to a PDF then all the graphics and images you put can be added into a PDF.
What are the disadvantages of PDF?
The disadvantages of a PDF file are as follows:
1. Difficult to read:
The PDF file can be hard to read on a computer screen. PDF files are presented in A3 or A4 sheets which is ideal for printing however, the computer screen falls in the bracket of 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio that means a person spends time scrolling through a PDF rather than reading it.
2. Difficult to Edit:
A PDF file cannot be edited which is great for security purposes but it fails as a collaborative device. A scanned pdf document is an uneditable version of the original document.
What are the different types of PDF files?
There are 3 types of PDF file:
1. Digital PDF:
Digitally created PDF also known as true PDF is created from software such as word and ms-excel or through the print function. They comprise text and images. The images and text can be resized, moved, or edited.
2. Scanned PDF:
Scanned PDFs are formed by scanning hard copies or converting screenshots into PDF form. Such PDF documents only contain scanned photos of pages without an underlying text layer. The text in this PDF can not be modified or marked up.
3. Searchable PDF:
These types of PDF are formed through the implementation of OCR(optical character recognition) to scanned PDF or other image-based documents. Such PDFs are not any different from the original document and are fully searchable. The text in these PDF documents can be selected and copied as well.
Conclusion
The above article covers everything you need to know about a PDF document. The article covers what is pdf and its full form, why do you need a PDF, how did electronic paper get defined as pdf, what are the advantages and disadvantages of a PDF file, and finally what are the different types of PDF.
