Transforming PostScript to PDF Format
In the 1970s, the printing and typesetting industries relied on individual company language, restricting flexibility and compatibility. This was the scenario at Xerox Parc, a hub of innovation although not always successful in commercialization. Its engineers sought a solution, resulting in the development of Interpress for controlling Xerox laser printers. However, the duo behind this project, John Warnock and Chuck Geschke, failed to commercialize Interpress. Consequently, they founded Adobe Systems, initially aiming to market laser printers but ultimately shifting focus to selling laser printer technology.
Enter PostScript, a page description language similar to Forth, designed for page layout and laser printing. Its success was based on easily obtainable specifications, compatibility with various printers, and device independence, offering high-quality output regardless of printer resolution. Apple's LaserWriter and Aldus' PageMaker, the first desktop publishing software, were integral to this revolution, as was Linotype's PostScript-compatible typesetter.
In the late 1980s, Adobe attempted to introduce Display PostScript for screen driving, but it was slower than hardware of the time and priced too high compared to cheaper alternatives. PostScript Level 2 was released in 1991, with improvements in speed, stability, and support for color separation, compressed images, and oddball fonts. However, releasing the specifications early led to competitors introducing Level 2 features before Adobe. PostScript 3 followed, supporting 12-bit colors and PDF files, but it never regained the relevance of its earlier versions.
PDF, introduced as a page description language focusing on page appearance, eventually eclipsed PostScript due to its support for layers and transparency. Today, PostScript serves as a static, fading relic compared to the dominance of PDF. The structure of a PostScript file is similar to a Forth program, while a PDF file contains objects that describe the page layout.
If your printer supports PostScript or your printer drivers do, you can play with it using GhostScript. Alternatively, you can create PDF files using these tools. For instance, you could create a simple table using just numbers and see the result. Interested in the code or creating your own? Explore the official documentation and learn how Nicolas Oakes defines it as a programming language.
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In the transition from printed materials to digital gadgets, PostScript, resembling Forth and originally designed for page layout and laser printing, gained prominence due to its device independence and compatibility with various hardware, offering high-quality output. Today, as PostScript fades, its structure reminiscent of a Forth program serves as a foundation for exploring programming concepts, particularly in the context of creating PDF files.
