PostScript(R) Language Reference Manual (2nd Edition)

By Adobe Creative Team

Book Overview

communications. This powerful and flexible language efficiently describes the appearance of text, sampled images, and graphics on a printed page or display. PostScript language interpreters have been... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0201181274
• ISBN13: 9780201181272
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional
• Length: 784 Pages
• Weight: 2.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.1" x 2.1" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

Called the "PostScript Bible" for good reason

If you are going to be working with PostScript you will need this book (widely refered to as the "Red Book.")It is indeed THE reference for PostScript, but the organizational aspects of the book itself are a bit confusing until you understand some PostScript fundementals and have a grasp for some oddball "Adobeisms."In addition to this book I've always made a habit of leveraging the "suppliments" released for each version of an interpreter.For example, PostScript level 2 actually consists of several versions of level 2 interpreter (2011, 2015, etc) all of which have associated supplements describing specific features supported (or not.) The supplements are available for download from Adobe's developer side of their web site (they are often far smaller than the Red Book, and absolutely indespensible.)Additionally, each manufacturer who OEMs an Adobe interpreter sometimes release documentation pertaining to which specific features within an interpreter version are supported, and how. For example, companies often develop specialized applications built upon frameworks provided by Adobe in an interpreter version. Understanding the customized PostScript commands for these applications enables you to take full advantage of them. Either way, buy the book. Don't waste your time downloading it. Sure, that's "tree friendly" but we all know it will end up getting printed anyway.

Essential reference

This manual - the 'Red Book' - is absolutely necessary for programming in PostScript. It is the only complete reference guide to the language, and is so well-organized and thorough that no one else even bothers to publish a complete third-party guide. Many other books have been published on PostScript - and many are excellent - but they are books you will buy in addition to, rather than instead of, this manual. We can only wish that other software manuals were as well-written.

Very complete!

Clear, easy to understand and complete. Very good

new version is out.

Be carefull. This book describes LanguageLevel 2. There is a new version out that describes LanguageLevel 3.(1999 version)

An essential text for serious users of PostScript printers.

This text has a permanent place on my reference shelf. The lucid explaination of how the PostScript language works given in the introductory chapters is unsurpassed. The command by command detailed explainations are essential to any development worker for efficient use of the rich resources of the language.