Dynamically create PDFs 1

[Arion23]

Hi all,

I'm posed with a problem - I've been asked to update a web application that produces results from a database search (straightforward enough) however management has requested that the results of each search should be made available as a PDF download to the user (ie user conducts search, gets results in web browser, and has the option to download a PDF version of the results).

This is an internet application, and I'm no stranger to Perl, Coldfusion or database work, but I've had no luck finding info on how to dynamically create PDFs.

Can anyone point me in the direction of any good resources on this subject (preferably in relation to perl in a UNIX environment)

Many thanks in advance

 

[BlindPete]

Three ways...

1) PDF writer... behaves like a printer and creates the PDF files, but it is not so good for the purpose you described.

2) Adobe Distiller... converts postscript files to PDF, it is easier to automate but still will take quite a bit coding to pull off.

3) There is 3rd party tool that competes with Adobe's distiller that cost $100 and includes the complete API to fully automate creation of PDFs in your code. The name escapes me at the moment but if you search for "distiller" in the "Visual FoxPro" Forum you will find it. The folks there were talking it up a few weeks ago and those that suggested it are very reliable sources.

Good Luck!
-Pete

 

[BlindPete]

here are the threads


Thread184-28648
Thread184-33742

-Pete