PDF conversion utility?

pavankumarhassaji · New User Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Canada

Hi,

I would like to know is there any utility to convert any flat file to PDF format. So that it can be mailed as read only.

In the forum i have seen that there is a utility VPSPDF to convert AFP to PDF. Similarly is there any utility to convert ordinary flat file to PDF. If exists please explain me how to use it.

superk · Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:19 pm

There's TXT2PDF.

And, if you already have SAS, the SAS Output Descriptor System (ODS) produces PDF output.

pavankumarhassaji · New User Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Canada

Could you please let me know how to use TXT2PDF. If you could give a sample code i will be pleased.

stodolas · Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:05 pm

PDF does not make a file read only. If the recipient has Adobe Acrobat, not just the reader, or some other tool then they can edit a PDF like it was a text file.

stodolas · Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:07 pm

Something I already was aware of, but pointed out to me in a private message, not a publicly for some reason...

PDFs can be protected to disallow things like this. Search google for TXT2PDF z/OS and you can find the manuals and see that there is a protection panel..

However, someone could write a program to edit PDFs to the PDF spec disregarding the protection bits of the format. Someone who is really determined to edit the contents of the file will be able to regardless of what kind of protection you apply at the PDF level. They could take screenshots of the PDF then take it into a graphics editor laying other text over the part they want to change. Print the doucment out and scan it back in using some OCR software then editing it as an unprotected document, etc etc...

I wasn't implying that PDF can't be protected, just that the OP had made it sound like PDF automatically made the file read only.

superk · Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:08 pm

You know, all of the details on how to use this freeware utility are included in the distribution of the utility. Anyway, here's a sample job:

pavankumarhassaji · New User Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Canada

Hi Superk,

Thank you very much for the replay. The code code you sent was very useful.
I have found out some user guide for using TXT2PDF utility. I am posting the URL for that manual so that others may get benefited.

URL is : Use [URL] BBCode for External Links

Thanks,
Hassaji.

pavankumarhassaji · New User Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Canada

Hi,

I tried to run the job but it was unable to find TXT2PDF routine.

Does TXT2PDF come with Mainframe installation or shall we need to get it explicitly. Could you please let me know, from where and how can i get the utility?

Thanks,
Hassaji.

enrico-sorichetti · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 5:17 pm

PDF conversion utilities come in many flavors, for many environments,
but ( bolded to point out it' s importance )

with different licensing options...
usually freeware for ==>personal use<==

Anyway before installing any third party products in a "COMMERCIAL" environment
it would be wise to ask about the practices of Your shop for such issues

there are quite often strong limitations on the use of freeware things
both from the product owner point of view,
and also from the point of view of the company using it

freeware comes with lots of legalese about responibilities liabilities and so on...

which means that if You are having troubles using it ...

YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN

Thats why I ALWAYS discourage the use of such products in a production
environment
unless there are people capable of takig care of all, repeat ALL, the problems