Mars

Mars is the code name for a project developing an XML-based representation of PDF documents. XML, Extensible Markup Language, is a cross-platform, extensible, and text-based standard for representing data of all kinds.

PDF, Portable Document Format, is the global standard to reliably view, print, and share documentation over the web and with other people, regardless of a computer's operating system. PDF preserves all of the fonts, formatting, colors, and graphics of any source document.

There are many exciting use cases for the XML friendly Mars file format: · Improved data extraction and integration · Improved access to metadata for intelligent indexing · Document generation from a database or enterprise application · Standardized document assembly and simplified document analysis and verification

The Mars project was initiated to explore how XML and similar open standards could be used in ways that enable more developers to better integrate a PDF into existing and future applications and solutions.

The Mars project has been hosted on Adobe Labs so that developers can review, participate and provide feedback on the development of the Mars technology. Already eager to receive feedback, the Mars project wiki will be staffed by the Mars development team.

Mars supports developers who want to leverage their XML tools and knowledge to create, manipulate and extract information from PDF documents. It also provides an XML document solution for organizations that have chosen to unify their infrastructure using XML as the base representation.

Architects and developers working on enterprise integration solutions or AJAX web applications should definitely take a look at the Mars technology. Those working on document generation and conversion, data extraction and integration, form generation and publishing projects should be closely following the Mars project.

Mars documents, like PDF documents, can be displayed within a viewer application. When viewed, Mars documents have similar appearance and behavior as a PDF document with similar content. Other than having a different file suffix, an end user would not see any difference between a Mars document and a PDF document.

However, if you look under the hood, a document created in the Mars format will appear different, containing XML components that enable some exciting enterprise use cases. With the Mars plug-in, Adobe Reader and Acrobat can open, display, and operate on Mars documents.

Take mars for a spin to see what it's all about!