Ghostscript

GPL Ghostscript is a free source interpreter for the PostScript language and the Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).

It works along with different programs as a raster image processor for printers. It basically takes as input a set of graphics commands and interprets so that the output is a bitmap page when sent to an output device, such as a printer.

The program has a rudimentary interface that resembles Windows’ notepad. It only displays a command line where the users need to type the proper commands in order to view, render, convert, rasterize, resize and perform other tasks related to PDF documents.

Usually GPL Ghostscript is used by other applications as a general conversion and formatting engine and the user never interacts with it. The command line is only for advanced users who require interpreting PostScript, encapsulated PostScript, DOS EPS, or Adobe Portable Document Format. To use the command line consult the manuals and guidelines from the website. For a friendlier approach GPL Ghostscript integrates to GSview which is a graphical interface for Ghostscript that has to be downloaded additionally.

Basically GPL Ghostscript is used internally by PDF & Postcript conversion programs such as PDF printers, PDF to text or similar applications which need an interpreter of these mentioned data scripts in order to be converted or printed to different formats.