My understanding of net.SOAP and net.HTTP
DHeadrick Sep 5, 2009 11:15 PMHi,
I've spent the evening Googling around for information on how to access a web server from within a PDF file via JavaScript. I'd like to summarize my understanding and see if I've got it right. Here are my take-aways:
1. The SOAP methods and properties have been deprecated and net.SOAP
should be used in new designs.
2. Relative to the net.HTTP request method, the API page indicates:
"Note: This method can only be made outside the context of a document
(for example, in a folder level JavaScript)."
(for example, in a folder level JavaScript)."
I've never dealt with a "folder level JavaScript". I believe this is a JavaScript that
is outside of the PDF file and that can be invoked by the PDF file. If I want to
is outside of the PDF file and that can be invoked by the PDF file. If I want to
deliver a single PDF file (not a PDF file and a separate JavaScript), then I
presume I should avoid net.HTTP, and use only net.SOAP.
presume I should avoid net.HTTP, and use only net.SOAP.
3. I can develop and test JavaScripts that use net.SOAP in Acrobat -- true?
However, to have the resultant PDF file work in Reader, I would need to go
down the path of LiveCycle Reader Extensions, paying Adobe a fee that
is a function of how many customers are expected to read the PDF file.
However, to have the resultant PDF file work in Reader, I would need to go
down the path of LiveCycle Reader Extensions, paying Adobe a fee that
is a function of how many customers are expected to read the PDF file.
4. It *appears* that, when a customer opens a Reader Extensions-enabled PDF file,
they are allowed to only open, modify & save it once. They would be prevented from
opening/modifying/saving it a second time -- true? Well, I bet they can open it,
perhaps even modify it, but they probably can't save it again. If the customer wanted
to open/modify/save it a second time, they would need to get a new copy from the
provider (me) -- true? If so, this seems very cumbersome.
5. I believe that net.SOAP is conveyed by HTTP protocol -- true? I also believe that
net.SOAP functionality can be used with HTTPS.
net.SOAP functionality can be used with HTTPS.
6. Final observation -- it looks like Adobe has changed their JavaScript SDK from PDF
format to web page format for Acrobat 9.0. I looked everywhere for the "standard"
PDF JavaScript API Reference supported by Acrobat 8.0 and before, but never found it.
format to web page format for Acrobat 9.0. I looked everywhere for the "standard"
PDF JavaScript API Reference supported by Acrobat 8.0 and before, but never found it.
Seems like a step backwards, since I can no longer easily print the entire API reference.
Thanks for your help in letting me know if/if not my understandings are correct. Thanks also for your help in answering my questions interspersed above.
Dave
