c# products and library components

Hey

I have in mind to make PDF development from scratch in c#.NET. For desktop, server, web, printing... I have in mind to create something like Jaws PDF products: editor, viewer, creator, reporting - software, library and sdk (framework) to use by users, and developers. As many libraries, products as posible.

I know there are a LOT of libraries and PDF products. Also i'v heard the libraries - one of 12 is good, rest are crap.

Do you think this is good bussiness now when market is full and companies developers already have products and libraries for PDF?
I appreciate any help. Even if it's negative for me. Even just a litle.

Paul Rusu

In general, if good tools are already available, you should use those tools. If the source is open and you'd like to make improvements, go ahead and do that as well.

However, if you think that the current offerings in this space are all lacking in quality, and you believe you could do better, then do so.

Hope that helps... I realize this is all very generalized, but I hope you get what I'm after here.

Thanks for the reply,

I will use and extend other libraries.
My final products would be products already existing on the market, but cheaper, and cheaper distribution with souce code: reporting PDF, creating PDF, viewing PDF, generation from XSL-FO (only one competitor for now), also maybe some bussiness document editing (create- edit PDF document and also store the text data in a attached database for more advanced searching and bussiness activity). Also more example - tools like viewer, browser, editor ( i want to do something like Adobe Acrobat but a lot cheaper for offices), - also souce code for framework for all these examples.

Please tell me what you think about each of them.

Paul

Honestly, it really depends on the c# landscape, of which I'm not familiar. In the Java world, there are several open source, high-quality libraries for PDF generation, such as iText, as well as commercial varieties, such as Big Faceless, not to mention the java/pdf product that Adobe itself just announced this week.

c#, being a newer language, probably doesn't have as many available options for PDF generation, so you might be able to get into the market now while it is still developing.

Thanks for reply

Ok , i agree that pdf generation and reporting are a lot of libraries on the market.

I think i should come up with other products, something not "expired".

What do you think about a PDF Editor to edit PDF with bussiness rules as - XDP also to attach database to a PDF to contain data wich would be much help - cauz you can do more advanced search on a database than only the document. ?

Paul

Well, for what it's worth, I'm not a big proponent of PDF, so I don't know if I'm qualified to comment on this level. The best thing for you to do is develop something you enjoy, regardless of the competition. If you like what you're doing, you'll be more apt to update/advance it, and therefore keep it competitive w/ other offerings in this space.