Before diving into the implementation, let's briefly examine the input and output formats involved in the conversion process.
RTF (Rich Text Format)
Introduced in the 1980s, RTF was the original rich text format used by Microsoft Word. It represents formatting using tags, optionally grouped in groups to define the effect of their scope. RTF was designed to be forward and backward compatible, allowing older readers to ignore unfamiliar tags and newer readers to process older files seamlessly. Notable features also include embedded fonts for cross-platform readability, support for WMF/EMF, and others.
Pros:- Cross platfrom support
- Forward and backward compatible
- Text based
Cons:
- Bulky file size
- Lack of Unicode support in early versions
- Not human-readable
DOCX (Office Open XML)
DOCX is the modern Word document format, part of the Office Open XML standard. Unlike the older .doc format, DOCX uses XML to structure content. This format is more modular and supports advanced features such as tracked changes and modern styling.
Pros:
- Better structured than RTF
- Supports advanced Word features (track changes, shapes, charts, etc.)
Cons:
- Larger file size due to XML
- Not human-readable
PDF (Portable Document Format)
Developed by Adobe in the 1990s, PDF aims to preserve document layout and formatting across platforms. Unlike RTF or DOCX, which store content and styling, PDF also stores the layout instructions, ensuring documents look the same everywhere.
Pros:
- Fixed, consistent presentation
- Cross-platform compatibility
Cons:
- Not easily editable
- Less suitable for rich text editing or dynamic updates