The Howdy Glossary

PostScript is a page description language developed by Adobe Systems in 1985, mainly used in electronic and desktop publishing industries for high-quality rendering of graphics, text, and images on printed pages. It operates as an interpreted programming language and a vector image format, facilitating the detailed depiction of complex elements like shading, halftones, fonts, and line art with mathematical precision. Laser printers equipped with PostScript support can interpret this code to reproduce sophisticated print outputs accurately.

PostScript distinguishes itself from competitors such as PDF (Portable Document Format) and PCL (Printer Command Language) through its precise page layout capabilities. While PDF also developed by Adobe Systems focuses on document exchange and viewing optimization rather than precise layout; PCL developed by Hewlett-Packard focuses on controlling laser printers. PostScript's unique combination of being both an interpreted programming language and a vector image format allows it to excel in rendering intricate graphical elements like shading, halftones, fonts, and line art with exceptional detail.

Professionals in electronic and desktop publishing industries significantly benefit from using PostScript due to its capability to deliver high-quality printing outputs with accurate graphical representations. Graphic designers, typesetters, and print production specialists find it valuable for describing complex elements on printed pages mathematically precisely. Additionally, users working with PostScript-enabled laser printers can achieve faithful reproductions of intricate details in their printed materials, making it particularly suitable for those requiring detailed and sophisticated print results.