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suzen451
suzen451
Participating Frequently
May 21, 2020
Frage

PDF or XML file. Which one to use?

  • May 21, 2020
  • 2 Antworten
  • 1656 Ansichten

My boss just asked me if we are using xml files on our webpage instead of pdfs. I have saved all these ebooks as pdfs for people to download and read not xmls. Is there a reason why I should be using xml files instead? I think she is looking for a page turning feature. I would welcome any feedback. Thanks so much!

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2 Antworten

Thom Parker
Community Expert
Thom ParkerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
May 21, 2020

I believe your boss is refering to one of the XML based ebook formats. You need to look for information on these somewhere else. Google "XML eBook". You'll find plenty.

Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often
suzen451
suzen451Autor
Participating Frequently
May 28, 2020

I understand you say to go somewhere else, but my question is why use xml over pdf? I googled like you suggestion and got no help from it. I would really like to know!

Thom Parker
Community Expert
Thom ParkerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
May 28, 2020

PDF is a well known and well used open source format. There are many different free PDF viewers available and usually pre-installed an any device/platform a user might have.  For reading purposes, PDF is somewhat universal. It is also a high fidelity format, but does not automatically provide any cool viewing features, such as page turning. It's also not easy to protect. People can easily copy and email PDFs. 

 

The XML formats on the other hand require special viewers, but may offer cool viewing features and protection. Can't say much else cause I don't use them. Hence the reason for googling. 

Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often
try67
Community Expert
try67Community Expert
Community Expert
May 21, 2020

XML files are plain text. Maybe they are referring to XFA PDF forms, which are indeed based on XML?

If that's the question, I would go for PDF, which is much more universal and easier to create and maintain.

And forget about page-turning. It's just eye-candy that has more disadvantages than advantages.

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