It’s 2 A.M. and you’ve run down another internet rabbit hole. You started with cute cat videos, and where did you end up?
Reading forum posts and watching YouTube videos about PDF vs HTML.
But, which is better? Read on to learn the ins and outs of both PDFs and HTMLs. Maybe you’ll end up deciding for yourself.
What is PDF?
PDF, created for Adobe Acrobat Reader, stands for portable document format. The PDF provides an almost identical photocopy of the item that users can view or print no matter what platform they use.
Features
The file structure of a PDF follows a binary track, with most ranging between 100 KBs and a couple of MBs in size. You can zoom in to all photos, and portions of text, within the document. If you need math symbols, the format renders them seamlessly.
For those searching for specific keywords or phrases within the papers, you can use Adobe Acrobat Reader to easily navigate. Plus, you can go through the file using page numbers.
Pros
When you use PDFs the cost to produce print-outs is low. Plus, the documents maintain precise formatting. The single file structure allows for ease of saving and copying.
If you have spotty internet, you can use PDFs offline securely. Also, you can fill out information on top of the document without being online.
Cons
If you save items in a portable document format, you need a PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat to properly access the file. Most data files in the format are large, making them near impossible to load on mobile phones. Plus, the content-interaction level is minimal
What is HTML?
HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language, and is the language of also every common internet browser. HTML documents are meant to be accessed and read via computer rather than printed.
Features
Each document and figure is a separate file of the HTML, meaning there could be over twenty individual parts. The format can be used on any system. If necessary, you can add hyperlinks, audio and video clips, and other enhancements.
You can also search freely within HTML files if the feature is supported on your browser.
Pros
When you read HTML documents and files, you do not need a separate software to access the information. The plain text of the papers makes reading simple and downloading accessible.
Cons
HTML documents do not include graphs, photos, or other images, even if the original file formats do. Plus, printing these papers tends to be costly.
PDF vs HTML: Which is Better?
The answer depends on your goals for the files. For printing, go with PDF. For web-reading, go with HTML. Plus, you can choose between other file formats as well, such as itextsharp.
Want More Geek Guides and Computer Content? Read More Now!
Now you know the ins and outs of the PDF vs HTML debate. Do you want to learn more about internet browser content? We have plenty of articles and geek guides to read here.
