FAQ
Adobe® PDF Library™
About Datalogics
For over 40 years, Datalogics
has been providing innovative
electronic document-focused
technology to end-users and
OEMs alike. In addition
to our high performance
batch-pagination composition
systems, we are an Adobe
portfolio company and key
channel for several of their
developer technologies.
Datalogics is based in
Chicago, IL.
Datalogics and Adobe
Datalogics has been working
with Adobe Systems, Inc.
since 1993. We are the
primary source for the Adobe
PDF Library; and our unique
relationship with Adobe has
enabled us to extend the reach
of the PDF Library by porting
to other platforms, including
64-bit Windows, HPUX and
Solaris.
Datalogics, Inc.
101 N. Wacker Drive #1800
Chicago IL 60606
phone: +1.312.853.8200
email: info@datalogics.com
web: www.datalogics.com
www.datalogics.com
What is the Adobe PDF Library?
The Adobe® PDF Library™ (APDFL) is a software development
kit (SDK) that allows developers to implement PDF support
directly within their applications. APDFL is the same core
technology with which Adobe builds its Acrobat family of
products. APDFL is available on multiple platforms, including
several 64-bit platforms, and can be integrated into both desktop
and server applications.
What are some of the features that I can incorporate
into my application with the Adobe PDF Library?
You can build applications that:
• edit PDF documents • compress PDFs for storage
• programmatically print PDFs • encrypt files for secure web delivery
• view, render and rasterize PDFs • embed fonts within PDF documents
• create and manipulate hyperlinks to • password-protect PDFs using Adobe’s
other PDF documents or websites encryption model
• support double-byte languages such as • provide linearized PDFs optimized for web
Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hebrew, and delivery
Arabic
• search and extract text
What versions of PDF does the PDF Library support?
Adobe updates the PDF Library for each new major release of Adobe Acrobat; this updated
version of the PDF Library is available shortly after the release of Acrobat. The current
version of the PDF Library is version 8.x - it supports documents which conform to the latest
PDF Specification, PDF v1.7.
The Adobe PDF Library is also backwards-compatible, supporting documents which
conform to earlier versions of the PDF Specification. These backwards-compatible
capabilities mirror those that are available in Adobe Acrobat Professional.
What is the difference between the Adobe PDF Library and the Acrobat SDK?
The Acrobat SDK is used for creating plugins - these require a copy of Reader or, in most
cases, a licensed copy of Acrobat in order to run. The plugins rely on functionality that is
delivered within the Reader/Acrobat application.
In comparison, the Adobe PDF Library integrates directly within your application, and
gives you access to Acrobat-type functionality within your application without requiring
that Acrobat or Reader be present: no external dependencies, no interapplication
communication. This enables you to deliver standalone applications with built-in PDF
functionality; and allows you to build client- and server-side applications (where Acrobat
cannot be deployed).
Can I access the Library from .NET?
Yes. A .NET interface is provided in the Datalogics Enhancements (DLE) layer of the
Adobe PDF Library. DLE and .NET code samples are delivered as part of the standard
distribution of APDFL.
 }
Adobe PDF Library
Interfaces
(.NET, Java)
Datalogics
Adobe Acrobat Enhancements Enhancements(DLE)

Optimizations

Core PDF API Core PDF API

The Adobe PDF Library is built upon the same core API as Acrobat.

What is DLE? What kind of encryption/password-protection

Datalogics Enhancements (DLE) are a set of modules
which include performance improvements and
optimizations; enhanced functionality in the areas of
graphics processing, watermarking and programmatic
printing; and language interfaces for .NET and Java
developers. DLE is provided as part of the standard
distribution of the Adobe PDF Library.
I want to display PDFs within my application. Can
I use APDFL to build my own PDF viewer?
Yes. The PDF Library contains viewer API calls which
can be used to build a custom PDF viewer, or to add PDF
viewing capabilities to your existing document viewing
application. The DLViewer code samples demonstrate how
to use these APIs to build a simple PDF viewer.
Can I use APDFL to extract text from PDFs?
Yes; provided the text actually exists as text within the
PDF, and not just a picture of text (like a scan or a fax).
In addition to the text characters, style and positional
information can also be obtained. There are several code
samples which illustrate how to extract text from PDFs.
capabilities are in APDFL?
APDFL uses the same Adobe encryption model used
in Acrobat. This means you can use APDFL to restrict
viewing, editing, copying, printing a PDF, just as
in Acrobat. This also means these capabilities are
interoperable between APDFL and Acrobat - your
application could encrypt a document to restrict editing;
and those restrictions would be enforced within Acrobat
and Reader as well.
What platforms are available?
APDFL is available on MacOS, Linux, IBM AIX;
32- and 64-bit versions are available for Windows, Solaris,
HPUX RISC and HPUX Itanium.
What languages are supported?
Interfaces are provided for C, C++, Java and .NET.
Where can I find more information about the PDF
Library?
You can find more information about the PDF Library
online at:
- http://www.adobe.com/devnet/pdf/library/
- http://www.datalogics.com/products/pdfl/pdflibrary.asp

101 N. Wacker Dr. • Suite 1800 • Chicago, IL 60606 • +1.312.853.8200

Datalogics is a registered trademark of Datalogics Incorporated. Adobe and the Adobe logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in
the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 12/07 ©2007 Datalogics, Inc.