Java Glossary : PostScript

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PostScript
A full-blown computer language used by typesetters, printers and screens to draw graphics and text in a resolution-independent way. Java programs will use the Bravo interface to generate PostScript programs that are then interpreted for printer, screen or typesetter.

PostScript uses a different co-ordinate system from Java. Units are floating point 1/72 of an inch, close to a printer's point of 1/72.27 inch.

postscript_coordinates

You need quite at least three textbooks to have much hope of understanding PostScript. I suggest starting with the official books from Adobe:

book_coverLanguage Tutorial and Cookbook
0-201-10179-3
Adobe
Also known as the Blue Book. If you buy only one book, get this one.
amazon.com Barnes and Noble
amazon.ca chapters
amazon.co.uk amazon.de
book_coverPostScript Language Reference
0-201-37922-8
Adobe
Also known as the Red Book, even though it is now mostly white. This is the language reference manual. It is available in downloadable PDF format.
amazon.com Barnes and Noble
amazon.ca chapters
amazon.co.uk amazon.de
book_coverPostScript Language Program Design
0-201-14396-8
Adobe
Also known as the Green Book. This explains how PostScript works under the hood. PostScript made little sense to me until I read this book. Then again I come from a Forth background, and like to think very concretely about what is going on.
amazon.com Barnes and Noble
amazon.ca chapters
amazon.co.uk amazon.de
book_coverAdobe Type 1 Font Format
0-201-57044-0
Adobe
Known as the White Book. This explains how PostScript fonts work under the hood, including the formerly secret proprietary encryption technique. You can probably live without this book, but I found it satisfied a deep set of curiosity itches. Also available free in PDF format.
amazon.com Barnes and Noble
amazon.ca chapters
amazon.co.uk amazon.de
Aandi Inston's PostScript Resource Page and his remarkable (but expensive $420 CDN) tool for composing and debugging PostScript PSAlter ¤ Acrobat ¤ Adobe ¤ Bravo ¤ EPS ¤ Font ¤ GhostScript ¤ OpenType ¤ PDF ¤ point ¤ TrueType ¤ Webfont

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