How to use the command pdf-parser (with examples)

The pdf-parser command is a tool used to identify fundamental elements of a PDF file without rendering it. It is useful for analyzing and extracting information from PDF files.

Use case 1: Display statistics for a PDF file

Code:

pdf-parser --stats path/to/file.pdf

Motivation: The motivation for using this example is to get an overview of the statistics of a PDF file. This can be useful in understanding the structure and content of the file.

Explanation:

• pdf-parser: This is the command itself.
• --stats: This argument tells the command to display statistics for the PDF file.
• path/to/file.pdf: This is the path to the PDF file you want to analyze.

Example output:

Statistics for: path/to/file.pdf
Indirect objects: 13

Use case 2: Display objects of type /Font in a PDF file

Code:

pdf-parser --type=/Font path/to/file.pdf

Motivation: The motivation for using this example is to find and display all the font objects in a PDF file. This can be helpful in understanding the fonts used and extracting font information.

Explanation:

• pdf-parser: This is the command itself.
• --type=/Font: This argument specifies the type of objects to display. In this case, it is set to /Font to search for font objects.
• path/to/file.pdf: This is the path to the PDF file you want to analyze.

Example output:

obj 12 0
 Type: /Font
 Referencing: 3 0

Use case 3: Search for strings in indirect objects

Code:

pdf-parser --search=search_string path/to/file.pdf

Motivation: The motivation for using this example is to search for specific strings in the indirect objects of a PDF file. This can be useful when you need to find specific content or information within the PDF document.

Explanation:

• pdf-parser: This is the command itself.
• --search=search_string: This argument specifies the string to search for within the indirect objects of the PDF file.
• path/to/file.pdf: This is the path to the PDF file you want to analyze.

Example output:

Stream found at object 15 0

Conclusion:

The pdf-parser command is a powerful tool for analyzing and extracting information from PDF files. It provides functionality to display statistics about the PDF file, search for specific objects or strings, and extract important data. With the provided examples, users can get started with using pdf-parser to analyze and work with PDF files effectively.