What Does PDF Stand For?

The acronym PDF is widely used while converting, downloading documents, and browsing on the internet. You might have wondered what does PDF stand for. In today’s day and age, jargonization has enveloped every part of our life, including writing and browsing.

It is, however, very convenient to use these acronyms instead of pronouncing the entire term. Saves time and energy, doesn’t it? It is only natural to wonder what all these terms mean. I know I do!

What Does PDF Mean?

Time to break the suspense and discover what does PDF stand for in computer terms.

The full form of PDF is ‘Portable Document Format.’

It might give you a rough idea but may not quite explain it. Still confused as to what it means? I’ll break it down for you.

Off the top of your head, you must have understood the words ‘Document Format’. In simple terms, a file containing all sorts of textual and visual information is called a document. In computers, files we create are generally in Word Document format.

Similarly, PDF is also a kind of document, only that it is portable. When you transport a PDF file Via internet or any data traveling device, the document maintains all its original attributes, and you do not risk losing any data.

If a Word file ‘XYZ’ is saved with an extension of ‘.doc.’ Naming it ‘XYZ.doc,’ PDF files are saved with the expansion of.‘PDF.’ Consequently, this file in question will be saved as ‘XYZ.PDF.’

 History of PDF

Here is a little history lesson about the background and origin of PDF.

In 1993, Adobe Systems created this wonderous file format. It was initially a proprietary format and was only available for use inside the company or license holders.

Later in 2008, PDF was released in an open format. It’s most important intended use was to transfer files and documents across computer users of varying platforms.

It was to facilitate the users who do not have access to mutually compatible software to open the file while maintaining all its data unchanged.

Microsoft has created formats like PDF that are used to save and transfer files, for example, OpenXPS. However, the popularity of PDF is rapidly dampening because of the introduction of DjVu.

It not only preserves the data in high quality but also compresses it into a much smaller size, making it easy for it to share online.

Portability of PDF Documents

The next possible question that pops up in our heads what does the word ‘Portable’ stand for in the acronym PDF. The answer to this question is that portability is the one requirement that instigated the creation of PDF. Its unique characteristics are attributed to its function of portability.

Before we could save documents in PDF format, there was a big challenge that presented itself. People used to transfer files across computer users of different platforms.

It was very inconvenient for the users who did not have access to mutually compatible software to open or view the file while preventing the data in it from being changed or lost.

The software required to view these files were owned by companies or license holders, which made life harder for an average person.

Moreover, the variety of editing and viewing software made it increasingly difficult to do your job.

This was from where the need for a format arose that operated on every hardware, software, or operating system.

Acknowledging this need of the people who were not only struggling with this new technology of computers but were now facing this challenge, Adobe Systems launched PDF.

They introduced the open version in public and updates are made available online to this date, truly capturing the essence of portability.

What is the Functionality of a PDF 

Now that the question of what PDF stands for is out of the way let us explore a little more about its functions. It is essential to know how it came to be a platform that is independent of the limitations of different software, hardware, and operating systems.

Here is a list of prime characteristics and functionalities of PDF.

• PDF converters are available that can convert any format of documents into PDFs and vice versa.
• To make a PDF, the program snapshots each page of the actual document.
• A PDF can contain pictures in JPEG, Hyperlinks (Internal and outbound).
• Latest versions of PDF can also incorporate 3D items.
• PDFs are usually read-only files
• A program called PDFedit can Edit your PDF files.
• These files can be encrypted and protected by passwords
• Printed PDFs make excellent hardcopies with the best qualities.
• PDF mainly are composed in varied versions of fonts: Courier, Helvetica, Times, Symbol and Zapf Dingbats

Now you not only know what does PDF stand for, but you also know its necessity, origin, functions, and importance.

PDF took a little time to catch on, but once it did, its progress and prevalence were unmatchable.

Now It is highly acclaimed. All E-book, E-Journals, Research papers are published online in PDF.

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