a2pdf

a2pdf is a handy tool that helps you convert ASCII text into PDF format. You can even add line or page numbers and highlight Perl syntax if you want to! How cool is that?

Using a2pdf

To use a2pdf, the command looks like this:

a2pdf [options] input.txt >output.pdf

Command Line Options

a2pdf recognizes several command line options:

• --help: This will print out how to use the program and exit.


• --doc: Want full documentation? This option shows it and exits.


• --version: Displays the version number of a2pdf.


• --title [your_title]: Sets a title in the page header. If you skip this, it'll use the file name or 'STDIN' if you're using standard input.


• --timestamp: This boolean option adds a timestamp to the page header if activated. It's off by default.


• --icon [path]: Add an image to the top left of each page. It supports various formats!


• --icon-scale [value]: Control how big your icon image appears; default is 0.25.


• --header | --noheader | --notitle: Adds a header with the page title, timestamp, and icon unless turned off.


• --footer | --nofooter | --page-numbers | --nopage_numbers: Enables current page numbering at the bottom of each page, which is on by default.


• --line-numbers | --noline-numbers: Line numbers show up by default but can be turned off.


• --perl-syntax | --noperl-syntax: Turns Perl syntax highlighting on (default) or off.


• --page-height [height]: Set your page height in points (A4 is 842 points).


• --page-width [width]: Set your page width in points (A4 is 595 points).


• Margins: You can specify margins for all sides with:
  
  
  
  • --margins, --left-margin, --right-margin, --top-margin, --bottom-margin
    
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Your Font Settings Matter!

  
  
  
  
  • You can set your font type using: --font-face [font_name]. The default font is Courier.
  
  
  • The font size can be set with: --font-size [size], where 10 points is standard.
  
  
  • If you want more space between lines, adjust it with: --line-spacing [spacing].
  
  
  
  
  

  No Formfeed? No Problem!

  
  

  If you'd like to ignore formfeed characters when converting your text, just use:

  
  

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