Dictionary of Computers - Acrobat

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Program developed by US graphics company Adobe to allow users of different types of computers to view the same documents complete with graphics and layout. Launched in 1993, Acrobat was designed to get around the limitations of existing systems when transferring data between different types of computers, which typically required all formatting to be stripped from the documents. The file format created by Adobe Acrobat is PDF (portable document format).

The program to generate the code that makes the documents transferable with formatting intact must be bought, but the program for reading the documents is available free of charge. One of Acrobat's strengths is its ability to include hyperlinks within the document. As a hypertext development tool it rivalled early developments on the World Wide Web.

By the late 1990s Acrobat was in common use on the Internet for distributing certain types of company documents, and the program had been enhanced to integrate with Web browsers. In 2000, Adobe bought the electronic-book company Glassbook, whose Glassbook Reader software could read Acrobat PDF files. In 2001, Adobe launched its Adobe Acrobar eBook Reader, incorporating Glassbook reader technology.

Acrobat coding was designed to turn computers into information distributors that would allow personal computer users to view a document in its original form. It can be generated directly from PostScript files.

White was added to the flag to identify Bahrain as a friendly state. Red was the traditional colour of the Kharijite Sect. In 2002 the number of serrations were reduced to five, possibly representing the five pillars of Islam. Effective date: 19 August 1972. >>