CSS3 vs. XSL-FO for Paginated Documents: Which Technology Reigns Supreme?

Paginated Document Generation: Revisiting the Use of CSS2, XSL-FO, and CSS3

In the past, XSL-FO has been the preferred technology for generating paginated PDF documents from XML or XHTML content. However, with the advancements in CSS, there is a growing consensus that CSS can now handle the demands of paginated media and replace XSL-FO.

CSS2, released in 1998, provided basic support for pagination through the paged media module. However, it had limitations in terms of fitting text precisely to the page and handling complex layouts.

In 2011, CSS2.1 expanded on the paged media module, addressing some of its shortcomings. CSS2.1 allows developers to define the exact layout of the page, create multiple columns, and control page margins and headers.

With the release of CSS3, the standardization of paged media took a significant leap forward. CSS3 introduced new properties and modules specifically designed for handling pagination, including:

• Pagination: For defining page breaks and controlling page size.
• Columns: For creating multiple columns within a single page.
• Footers: For adding running footers to each page.
• Headers: For adding running headers to each page.

Reasons for Choosing CSS3 over XSL-FO

There are several compelling reasons why CSS3 is gaining traction as the preferred solution for generating paginated documents:

• Widespread Support: CSS is supported by all major browsers and rendering engines, including WebKit, Gecko, and Edge. This ensures compatibility across a wide range of devices and platforms.
• Ease of Development: CSS is a relatively straightforward and widely-understood language. Developers familiar with CSS for web development will find it easier to adapt to using CSS for print.
• Industry Adoption: Major publishers and organizations, including O'Reilly Media and the US Federal Government, have adopted CSS3 for their print production. This indicates a shift in the industry towards CSS-based paginated documents.

The Demise of XSL-FO

In 2013, the W3C officially ended development of XSL-FO 2.0, signaling the decline of this technology. The decision was based on the lack of participation in the Working Group and the emergence of CSS3 as a viable alternative.

The Future of Paginated Documents

CSS3, with its comprehensive support for pagination and its adoption by the industry, is poised to become the dominant technology for generating paginated documents. It offers the flexibility, ease of use, and compatibility necessary for meeting the demands of modern publishing.

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