Editing Ghostscript

{{Short description|Interpreter for the PostScript language}}
{{Infobox software
| name                   = Ghostscript
| logo                   = Ghostscript.svg
| author                 = [[L. Peter Deutsch]]
| developer              = Artifex Software<ref>{{cite web|url= https://ghostscript.com/pipermail/gs-commits/2002-July/002087.html|title= Documentation|date= July 10, 2002|website= ghostscript.com|access-date= May 23, 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180228163405/https://ghostscript.com/pipermail/gs-commits/2002-July/002087.html|archive-date= February 28, 2018|url-status= dead}}</ref>
| released               = {{Start date and age|1988|8|11}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ghostscript.com/doc/current/History1.htm#Version1.0 |title=History of Ghostscript versions 1.n |access-date=2007-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208160329/http://www.ghostscript.com/doc/current/History1.htm#Version1.0 |archive-date=2007-02-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| discontinued           = 
| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|reference|P348}}
| latest release date    = {{start date and age|{{wikidata|qualifier|P348|P577}}}}
| latest preview version =
| latest preview date    = <!--  {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| programming language   = [[C (programming language)|C]]
| operating system       = [[Cross-platform]]
| genre                  = [[PostScript]] and [[Portable Document Format|PDF]] interpreter
| license                = Dual-licensed ([[GNU Affero General Public License]] + commercial permissive exception)
| website                = {{URL|https://www.ghostscript.com/}}
}}
'''Ghostscript''' is a suite of software based on an [[Interpreter (computing)|interpreter]] for [[Adobe Systems]]' [[PostScript]] and [[Portable Document Format]] (PDF) [[page description language]]s. Its main purposes are the [[rasterization]] or [[Rendering (computer graphics)|rendering]] of such page description language<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ghostscript.com/doc/9.21/Language.htm|title=Ghostscript and the PostScript language|website=ghostscript.com|access-date=2017-05-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930040120/https://ghostscript.com/doc/9.21/Language.htm|archive-date=2017-09-30|url-status=dead}}</ref> files, for the display or printing of document pages, and the conversion between PostScript and PDF files.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZyB5dt756HQC&dq=Ghostscript&pg=PA100|title=Open Life: The Philosophy of Open Source|first=Henrik|last=Ingo|date=1 August 2006|publisher=Lulu.com|isbn=9781847286116|via=Google Books}}</ref>

== Features ==
Ghostscript can be used as a [[raster image processor]] (RIP) for raster [[computer printer]]s—for instance, as an input filter of [[Berkeley printing system|line printer daemon]]—or as the RIP engine behind PostScript and PDF viewers. It can also be used as a file format converter, such as PostScript to PDF converter. The <code>ps2pdf</code> conversion program comes with the Ghostscript distribution.<ref name="ps2pdf">{{cite web |url=http://www.ghostscript.com/doc/current/Ps2pdf.htm |title=ps2pdf: PostScript-to-PDF converter |access-date=2014-08-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720064556/http://www.ghostscript.com/doc/current/Ps2pdf.htm |archive-date=2011-07-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Ghostscript can also serve as the back-end for PDF to [[raster image]] (png, tiff, jpeg, etc.) converter; this is often combined with a PostScript printer driver in "[[virtual printer]]" PDF creators.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stat.tamu.edu/~henrik/GSWriter/GSWriter.html|title=Creating a Free PDF Writer Using Ghostscript|website=www.stat.tamu.edu|access-date=2017-06-02|archive-date=2017-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027212125/http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~henrik/GSWriter/GSWriter.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=August 2014}} As it takes the form of a language interpreter, Ghostscript can also be used as a general purpose programming environment.

Ghostscript has been [[porting|ported]] to many operating systems, including [[Unix-like]] systems, [[classic Mac OS]], [[OpenVMS]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Plan 9 from Bell Labs|Plan 9]], [[MS-DOS]], [[FreeDOS]], [[OS/2]], [[ArcaOS]], [[Atari TOS]], [[RISC OS]] and [[AmigaOS]].

== History ==
Ghostscript was originally written by [[L. Peter Deutsch]] for the [[GNU Project]], and released under the [[GNU General Public License]] in 1988.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/doc/AFPL/8.00/News.htm |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025140244/http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/doc/AFPL/8.00/News.htm |archive-date=2016-10-25 |date=2002-11-21 |access-date=2021-03-19 |title=Recent changes in Ghostscript |website=pages.cs.wisc.edu}}</ref> At the time of the initial release there was a similar commercial software product named GoScript from LaserGo.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kraul |first=Chris |date=1989-05-02 |title=Printing Up a Package for Success: LaserGo Software Offers Cheaper Desktop System |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-05-02-fi-2436-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2022-09-09}}</ref> Later, Deutsch formed ''Aladdin Enterprises'' to [[Multi-licensing|dual-license]] Ghostscript also under a [[proprietary software license|proprietary license]] with an own development [[Fork (software)|fork]]: ''Aladdin Ghostscript'' under the [[Aladdin Free Public License]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/doc/AFPL/5.50/Public.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930222959/http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/doc/AFPL/5.50/Public.htm|archive-date=2017-09-30 |access-date=2021-03-19 |title=Aladdin Free Public License}} (mirror)</ref> (which, despite the name, is not a free software license, as it forbids commercial distribution) and ''GNU Ghostscript'' distributed with the ''GNU General Public License''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/doc/AFPL/5.50/New-user.htm#Find_Ghostscript |title=Background information for new users of Ghostscript |website=pages.cs.wisc.edu}}</ref> With version 8.54 in 2006, both development branches were merged again, and dual-licensed releases were still provided.<ref name="archive.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.advogato.org/person/raph/diary.html?start=411 |title=Advogato: Blog for raph |date=29 June 2017 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629021353/http://www.advogato.org/person/raph/diary.html?start=411 |archive-date=29 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=http://ghostscript.com/News.html |url-status=dead |title=Ghostscript leading edge is now GPL! |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003082642/http://ghostscript.com/News.html |archive-date=2016-10-03 |date=2006-06-07 |access-date=2021-03-19 |author=raph}}''"I have some great news to report. The leading edge of Ghostscript development is now under GPL license, as is the latest release, Ghostscript 8.54."''</ref>

Ghostscript is currently owned by Artifex Software and maintained by Artifex Software employees and the worldwide user community. According to Artifex, as of version 9.03, the commercial version of Ghostscript can no longer be freely distributed for commercial purposes without purchasing a license, though the (A)GPL variant allows commercial distribution provided all code using it is released under the (A)GPL.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.artifex.com/indexlicense.htm |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220215621/http://www.artifex.com/indexlicense.htm |archive-date=2009-02-20 |title=Artifex Software Inc. |access-date=2021-03-19 |website=Artifex Software Inc.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Robitaille |first=Jason |date=2009-12-04 |title=Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Filed Against Palm |url=http://www.webosnation.com/copyright-infringement-lawsuit-filed-against-palm |access-date=2021-03-19|website=webOS Nation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/download/gov.uscourts.cand.222215/gov.uscourts.cand.222215.1.0.pdf |title=Complaint for Copyright Infringement |at=p. 4: 15., p. 6: 27. |date=2009-12-02 |access-date=May 3, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/download/gov.uscourts.cand.222215/gov.uscourts.cand.222215.28.0.pdf |title=Notice of Voluntary Dismissal With Prejudice |date=2011-02-07 |access-date=2021-03-19}}</ref>

In February 2013, with version 9.07, Ghostscript changed its license from GPLv3 to [[GNU Affero General Public License|GNU AGPL]].<ref name=AGPL>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ghostscript.com/pipermail/gs-devel/2013-February/009410.html |title=[gs-devel] Ghostscript 9.07 and GhostPDL 9.07 |last=Liddell |first=Chris |date=2006-02-19 |access-date=2021-03-19 |archive-date=2021-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120214531/https://www.ghostscript.com/pipermail/gs-devel/2013-February/009410.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.artifex.com/page/licensing-information.html |title=Licensing Information |access-date=2014-05-08 |website=Artifex Software Inc. |archive-date=2014-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512233517/http://www.artifex.com/page/licensing-information.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> which raised [[license compatibility]] questions,{{clarify |these being? |date=August 2020}} for example by [[Debian]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2014/05/msg00165.html |title=Re: Ghostscript licensing changed to AGPL |author=Jose Luis Rivas |date=2014-05-06 |access-date=2021-03-19 |website=lists.debian.org}}</ref>

Starting with release 9.55.0 Ghostscript has two built-in PDF interpreters. Until spring 2022, up to Ghostscript version 9.56.1, the default PDF interpreters implementation itself was coded in PostScript. The new default PDF interpreter has been rewritten in C entirely, and is faster and more secure than its predecessor, while its interface and graphics library have not changed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ghostscript : PDFI - The NEW Ghostscript PDF Interpreter is now the default! |url=https://www.ghostscript.com/blog/pdfi.html |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=www.ghostscript.com}}</ref> Scripting the new C written PDF interpreter from PostScript is still possible.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ghostscript and the PostScript Language - Scripting the PDF interpreter |url=https://ghostscript.com/doc/9.56.1/Language.htm#PDF_scripting |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=ghostscript.com}}</ref>

== Free fonts ==
There are several sets of [[free software|free]] fonts supplied for Ghostscript, intended to be metrically compatible with common fonts attached with the PostScript standard.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://packages.debian.org/sid/gsfonts |title=Debian package - gsfonts |access-date=2010-04-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ghostscript.com/doc/current/Fonts.htm |title=Fonts and font facilities supplied with Ghostscript |access-date=2010-04-21 |archive-date=2010-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612151130/http://www.ghostscript.com/doc/current/Fonts.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sabi.co.uk/Notes/linuxFonts.html |title=Linux fonts (mostly X11) |date=2009-08-15 |access-date=2010-04-21}}</ref><ref name=pcl-urwfonts/> These include:
* A collection of 35 font styles from 10 typeface families contributed by German foundry [[URW++]] in 1996 under the [[GNU General Public License|GPL]] and [[Aladdin Free Public License|AFPL]], which is therefore commonly called the '''URW Base 35 fonts''' or '''URW Core 35 fonts'''.<ref name=urw-core35>{{cite web|author1=ArtifexSoftware|title=urw-base35-fonts|url=https://github.com/ArtifexSoftware/urw-base35-fonts|website=GitHub|access-date=25 March 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.geocrawler.com/archives/3/378/1996/5/0/2064811/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021023155414/http://www.geocrawler.com/archives/3/378/1996/5/0/2064811/ |title=Finally! Good-quality free (GPL) basic-35 PostScript Type 1 fonts. |archive-date=2002-10-23 |access-date=2010-05-06}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.tug.org/fonts/deutsch-urw.txt |title=Finally! Good-quality free (GPL) basic-35 PostScript Type 1 fonts. |format=TXT |access-date=2010-05-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tug.org/fonts/ |title=Fonts and TeX |date=2009-12-19 |access-date=2010-05-06}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://www.tug.org/TUGboat/Articles/tb29-1/tb91ludwichowski-fonts.pdf |title=Five years after: Report on international TEX font projects |year=2007 |access-date=2010-05-06}}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=April 2023}} The collection is similar to the 35 fonts defined by Adobe in [[PostScript_fonts#Core_Font_Set|PostScript Level 2]]: Bookman L ([[Bookman (typeface)|Bookman]]), Century Schoolbook L ([[Century Schoolbook|New Century Schoolbook]]), Chancery L ([[Zapf Chancery]]), Dingbats ([[Zapf Dingbats]]), Gothic L ([[ITC Avant Garde|Avant Garde]]), [[Nimbus Mono L]] ([[Courier (typeface)|Courier]]), [[Nimbus Roman No9 L]] ([[Times Roman|Times]]), [[Nimbus Sans L]] ([[Helvetica]]), Palladio L ([[Palatino]]), Standard Symbols L ([[Symbol (typeface)|Symbol]]), in Type1, TrueType, and OpenType formats.
*The GhostPDL package (including Ghostscript as well as companion implementations of [[Printer Command Language|HP PCL]] and [[Open XML Paper Specification|Microsoft XPS]]) includes additional fonts under the AFPL which bars commercial use.<ref name=pcl-urwfonts>{{cite web|title=doc/pcl/urwfonts (URW fonts in TTF format)|url=https://ghostscript.com/doc/pcl/urwfonts/|website=ghostscript doc|access-date=24 March 2018|archive-date=25 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325110208/https://ghostscript.com/doc/pcl/urwfonts/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=GhostPDL License|url=https://ghostscript.com/doc/pcl/LICENSE|website=ghostscript doc|access-date=21 November 2017|archive-date=25 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325110208/https://ghostscript.com/doc/pcl/LICENSE|url-status=dead}}</ref> It includes URW++ versions of [[Garamond]] (Garamond No. 8), [[Optima]] (URW Classico), [[Arial]] (A030), [[Antique Olive]], and [[Univers]] (U001), [[Clarendon (typeface)|Clarendon]], [[Coronet (typeface)|Coronet]], [[Letter Gothic]], as well as URW Mauritius and a modified form of [[Albertus (typeface)|Albertus]] known as A028. Combined with the base set, they represent a little more than half of the standard PostScript 3 font complement.
* A miscellaneous set including [[Cyrillic]], [[kana]], and fonts derived from the free Hershey fonts, with improvements by Thomas Wolff (such as adding accented characters).

The Ghostscript fonts were developed in the PostScript Type 1 format but have been converted into the TrueType format.<ref name=urw-core35/><ref name=pcl-urwfonts/> As a result, a user can install and use the Ghostscript fonts via most modern software. Furthermore, the Ghostscript fonts are used as parts of various open source applications, e.g., the Linux version of [[GIMP]] depends on [[Graphviz]] which in turn depends on the Ghostscript fonts.<ref>{{cite web|title=Arch Linux - gimp|url=https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/gimp/|access-date=2022-08-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Arch Linux - graphviz|url=https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/graphviz/|access-date=2022-08-04}}</ref> Finally, multiple open source font projects used glyphs from the Ghostscript fonts, e.g., the Latin characters of [[GNU FreeFont]] are based on [[Nimbus Mono L]], [[Nimbus Roman No9 L]], and [[Nimbus Sans L]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gnu.org/software/freefont/design-notes.html|title=Gnu FreeFont: Design notes|access-date=2022-07-08}}</ref> The TeX Gyre fonts are also based on 8 out of the 10 original Ghostscript typeface families.<ref>{{cite web|title=The TeX Gyre (TG) Collection of Fonts — GUST Web Presence|url=https://www.gust.org.pl/projects/e-foundry/tex-gyre|access-date=2022-08-04}}</ref> The Garamond font has additionally been improved upon.<ref name="URW Garamond ttf conversions">{{cite web|last1=Bisson|first1=Gaetan|title=URW Garamond ttf conversions|url=http://garamond.org/|access-date=18 August 2015}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Free and open-source software}}

* [[Common Unix Printing System]]
* [[Foomatic]]
* [[PostScript Printer Description]]
* [[Printer driver]]
* [[pstoedit]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{official website}}
* [http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/ Ghostscript version 8.56 and earlier]
* [https://github.com/ArtifexSoftware/ghostpdl-downloads/releases Ghostscript/GhostPDL binaries download page] at GitHub (cross-platform, this site is actively maintained)
* [https://sourceforge.net/projects/ghostscript/files/GPL%20Ghostscript/ GPL Ghostscript binaries download page] at SourceForge (cross-platform, this site is no longer actively maintained)

{{Free and open-source typography}}
{{PDF software}}

[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1988]]
[[Category:Cross-platform software]]
[[Category:Digital press]]
[[Category:Free PDF readers]]
[[Category:PostScript]]
[[Category:Software using the GNU Affero General Public License]]