Problems with PDF (how to solve them)

Having worked with PDFs for the good portion of the last decade, the file format does come with its problems. PDFs have been the go-to for the for displaying documents which contain text and images. The uniformity of the format types has ensured that it remains standard across all the devices it is displayed, which makes it the most popular file format for information sharing.

However when it comes to tasks like displaying PDFs onto web applications, the conversation becomes a lot more nuanced. Here are top problems with PDF and how you can solve these problems.

Viewing objects in a PDF

Creating software which interacts with a PDF involves the internal structure of the file. PDFs combine both ASCII and binary which makes it harder to view objects in a standard text editor.

The JPedal viewer allows you to inspect PDF files. You can download the trial to use this functionality. The viewer also allows you to debug PDF content streams, while providing you sufficient support.

Your next option would be PDFXplorer which is a free tool by O2 solutions. This is a Windows only solution and it allows shows the internal structure of the PDF in the form of a tree. This solution shows you attributes through a table and also view/save streams and text from a PDF file.

Running a Debugger for a PDF

Debugging tools are essential for developers working with PDF files, allowing them to inspect and troubleshoot the internal structure of these documents.
iText’s Reading and Updating PDF Syntax (RUPS) tool, built on iText 7 Core, provides a clear and detailed view of PDF construction. It allows users to inspect PDF syntax for potential errors, making it an invaluable tool for developers.
Similarly, JPedal Viewer also has the added functionality of helping developers unravel the internal construction of a PDF. It allows users to delve into raw file data and provide built-in debugging capabilities. Furthermore, it can also be used to examine inspect the cross-reference table of a PDF, with new capabilities being added to the program.

Protecting PDF files

While your PDF file is accessible for your users, protecting it is equally important. You would not want someone to copy the content from your PDF. You could put a password on your PDF but this would mean reducing its accessibility.
The other option is to convert the PDF into an image, JPedal for example allows you to convert your PDF to any image file format. However if changing the file format is not a viable option, then you can also use JPedal to disable text selection.

These are some of the common problems with PDF that developers may face. You can also get more detailed insights on the PDF format.