What is a PDF and what is a PDF Editor?

Many people find that although they might use applications such as PDF on a daily basis, they actually have very little knowledge as to what they actually are, what they comprise and the benefits they bring to them. Users may be unsure of how PDFs can be used, formatted and edited to make simple tasks such as information sharing and document submitting easier for the user. Once they fully understand what a format such as a PDF is, they can also begin to appreciate how functions such as PDF editor can be of help to them.

One dictionary definition of PDF is “A file format that provides an electronic image of text or text and graphics that looks like a printed document and can be viewed, printed, and electronically transmitted”. Whilst this might provide insight on what PDF is, it doesn’t really give an explanation as to why it is so essential and therefore it is necessary to start at the beginning.

The History of PDF

PDF stands for Portable Document Format. The format was developed by software giants Adobe in the early 1990s in answer to the growing problems which were being created by the large files which regularly needed to be sent by professional level developers. The main issue was that these files were so large they were unmanageable, especially given that during this time, modems and servers would have operated on a much smaller and altogether more basic level (even those which were being used on a professional scale).

The solution to the problem pre PDF was that developers would break down the required information into a file which then contained invisible links to graphics, fonts and other information which could then be transferred and re-formatted by the receiver. Although this did make files more manageable, it also led to problems when links weren’t properly received or applied to the file by the receiver. When this happened, the file appeared substandard or created a low-resolution image.

Adobe responded to this by developing Acrobat and, with it, PDF. PDF essentially gathers all parts and aspects of a file and embeds them together at developmental stage so that they can be sent as one file and cannot be altered or interfered with. Although this means that the file being sent is essentially larger than the broken down file, it does make the sending and receiving easier and more manageable because the file is being sent and received as one “straight” document which does not need transferring and can be printed or re-sent without the need for any additional formatting.

Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is a form of PDF Editor which allows for the creation, manipulation and reading of documents via PDF.

When a software PDF editor program is utilised it allows a user to enter a PDF file in order to alter information, change the layout, font, text and any other relevant details as a user, sender or receiver may deem necessary.