[fpc-pascal]Full-featured output library

[Michael Van Canneyt]

On Tue, 18 Nov 2003, Alan Mead wrote:

> Using FPC, I have created a program to perform a specific type of
> statistical analysis.  It's entirely console-based and it runs on
> both Linux and Windows.
>
> I currently create text output but I'd like to have tables and
> graphs.  Is there a library that would allow me to create output in a
> variety of formats like PostScript, PDF, Word, RTF, HTML?  I would
> need it to work on Windows and Linux.  This seems like a tall order
> but I thought I would ask...  maybe OOo could be accessed or
> something.  Any advice appreciated.

The beginnings of such a library are in the FCL:

- Wformat : TFormattingWriter - abstract class to write formatted text.
- WHtml - descendent that writes HTML.
- Wtex - descendent that writes LaTeX. (could be used to produce PS, RTF
  and PDF using existing tools)

  Other descendents can easily be added.

- FPImage/fpCanvas is a set of units that allows to 'Draw' on a canvas,
  producing output to PS/BMP/XPM/PNG. You can create images this way -
  to be included in your text.

All 100% Object Pascal. Still under development, but usable, and I'm
open to suggestions for improvement.

Michael.