Transform XPS to PCL via Java
On Premise Java API to Render XPS to PCL without using any third party application
You can convert XPS to PCL by using two simple steps. First you need to render XPS file to DOC using Aspose.PDF for Java . After that, by using powerful Document Processing API Aspose.Words for Java , you can convert DOC to PCL. Both APIs come under Aspose.Total for Java package.
Java API to Convert XPS to PCL
Get Started with Java File Manipulation APIs
You can easily use Aspose.Total for Java directly from a Maven based project and include Aspose.PDF for Java and Aspose.Words for Java in your pom.xml.
Alternatively, you can get a ZIP file from downloads .
// load XPS file with an instance of Document class
Document document = new Document("template.xps");
// save XPS as a DOC
document.save("DocOutput.doc", SaveFormat.DOC);
// load DOC with an instance of Document
Document outputDocument = new com.aspose.words.Document("DocOutput.doc");
// call save method while passing SaveFormat.PCL
outputDocument.save("output.pcl", SaveFormat.PCL);
Open Password Protected XPS Document via Java
While converting XPS to PCL, even if your document is password protected, you can still open it using PDF Manipulation API Aspose.PDF for Java . In order to open the encrypted file, you need to create a Document object and open the XPS using the owner’s password.
Document document = new Document("input.xps", "password");
// save XPS as a DOC
document.save("DocOutput.doc", SaveFormat.DOC);
Save PCL Document to a Database via Java
While saving your input document to PCL file format, you can also save your document to database instead of a file system. You may need to implement storing and retrieving Document objects to and from a database. This would be necessary if you were implementing any type of content management system. In order to save your PCL to database it is often necessary to serialize the document to obtain a byte array. This can be done using Aspose.Words for Java API. After getting your byte array, you can store it in the database using SQL statement.
public static void StoreToDatabase(Document doc, Connection mConnection) throws Exception {
// create an output stream which uses byte array to save data
ByteArrayOutputStream aout = new ByteArrayOutputStream();
// save the document to byte array
doc.save(aout, SaveFormat.PCL);
// get the byte array from output steam
// the byte array now contains the document
byte[] buffer = aout.toByteArray();
// get the filename from the document.
String fileName = doc.getOriginalFileName();
String filePath = fileName.replace("\\", "\\\\");
// create the SQL command.
String commandString = "INSERT INTO Documents (FileName, FileContent) VALUES('" + filePath + "', '" + buffer + "')";
Statement statement = mConnection.createStatement();
statement.executeUpdate(commandString);
}
Explore XPS Conversion Options with Java
What is XPS File Format?
XPS, short for XML Paper Specification, is a file format created by Microsoft to represent fixed-layout documents. XPS files contain the content and print settings of a document, making them suitable for preserving the layout and appearance of a document across different devices and platforms.
The XPS format is based on XML (eXtensible Markup Language), a widely used markup language for structured data representation. XPS files encapsulate document content, such as text, images, vector graphics, and annotations, in a structured XML format. This enables easy interpretation and rendering of the document’s visual elements.
XPS files are conceptually similar to PDF (Portable Document Format) files in that they both aim to provide a reliable way to present and share documents while preserving their formatting and layout. However, PDF files have gained broader support across different software applications and hardware devices, making them more widely accepted and compatible.
To view and work with XPS files, Microsoft provides an XPS Viewer as part of the Windows operating system. Various third-party applications and tools also offer support for opening, creating, and converting XPS files. However, compared to PDF, the range of software and hardware supporting the XPS format may be more limited.
What is PCL File Format?
PCL (Printer Command Language) is a page description language used primarily in the printing industry to control and format the output of printers and other imaging devices. It was developed by Hewlett-Packard (HP) and has become a widely adopted standard for printing in various environments.
PCL files contain a series of commands and instructions that describe the layout, fonts, graphics, and other elements of a printed page. These commands are interpreted by the printer to generate the desired output. PCL supports both text and graphics, allowing for the printing of complex documents with different fonts, colors, and graphical elements.
One of the key advantages of PCL is its device independence. PCL commands are designed to be understood by a wide range of printers, regardless of their make or model. This means that PCL files can be easily transferred between different printers or printed on various devices without the need for extensive modifications.
PCL files are typically created by software applications or print drivers that generate the PCL commands based on the content to be printed. They can be generated from various sources, including word processors, desktop publishing software, or directly from operating systems.
PCL has evolved over time, with different versions and enhancements introduced to support new features and technologies. The latest version, PCL 6, includes advanced imaging capabilities, color management, and support for industry-standard graphics formats.
Although PCL is widely supported in the printing industry, it is gradually being replaced by other page description languages, such as PostScript and PDF, which offer more advanced features and greater compatibility with modern printing technologies.