Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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

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.

If you want to program in PostScript, you must have this manual. However, you need the newer version, since this second edition only covers version 2 of the PostScript language. The third edition covers version 3, and you can find it for sale here on Amazon using ISBN 0-201-37922-8.

If you're like me and just need to do a little bit with the language, you will need this book but you might want to consider downloading it directly from Adobe. They have it, in its entirety, in pdf format. (Why not postscript?!) On the otherhand, if you are going to be using this language alot, you will probably just want to buy the book seeing how an 897 page pdf is a bit unweildy.

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.

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.

Clear, easy to understand and complete. Very good

Manual was not clear and detailed. Was expecting something with a more complete reference with examples. This was not it. Would not recommend to others.

For developmen