MathJax vs PDF.js

Overview

MathJax

Stacks232

Followers23

Votes0

GitHub Stars10.7K

Forks1.2K

PDF.js

Stacks241

Followers86

Votes0

GitHub Stars52.2K

Forks10.5K

MathJax vs PDF.js: What are the differences?

**Key Differences between MathJax and PDF.js**

Rendering Format: MathJax is primarily designed to render and display mathematical equations and formulas in web browsers by using MathML, LaTeX, or AsciiMath notations. It supports a wide range of mathematical symbols and formulas for accurate rendering. On the other hand, PDF.js is a JavaScript library that allows rendering and viewing of PDF documents directly in web browsers. While it can display text and images, it does not specifically focus on mathematical equations.
Output Types: MathJax produces dynamic and interactive mathematical equations that can be manipulated or interacted with by users. It supports rendering equations in various formats, such as HTML, MathML, and SVG, allowing for enhanced accessibility and interactivity. In contrast, PDF.js generates static and fixed representations of PDF documents, making it suitable for displaying non-interactive content like articles, reports, and documentation.
Dependencies: MathJax relies on JavaScript and additional web technologies to render mathematical equations. It can be easily integrated into webpages by adding a small JavaScript code snippet and specifying the desired rendering format. Conversely, PDF.js is a self-contained JavaScript library that does not have external dependencies, allowing it to be used independently for rendering PDFs without the need for other libraries or technologies.
Accessibility: MathJax provides robust support for accessibility features, making mathematical content more accessible to visually impaired users who rely on screen readers. It can generate accessible descriptions for mathematical expressions and provides navigation options for keyboard-only users. In contrast, PDF.js has limited accessibility features, which are mainly focused on general document accessibility, such as alternate text for images and navigational elements.
Browser Compatibility: MathJax is designed to work across various web browsers and platforms, ensuring consistent rendering of mathematical equations across different environments. It is compatible with modern browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, as well as older versions of Internet Explorer. Meanwhile, PDF.js is also compatible with major web browsers but may require additional support or configurations for optimal performance in certain scenarios.
Supported File Formats: MathJax does not directly handle file formats, as it primarily focuses on rendering mathematical equations within HTML documents. It can process equations written in MathML, LaTeX, or AsciiMath regardless of the document's file format. Conversely, PDF.js specifically handles PDF file formats and allows for direct rendering and viewing of PDF documents within a web browser without the need for external plugins or software.

In summary, MathJax is a versatile tool for rendering mathematical equations in various formats, offering interactivity and accessibility features, while PDF.js is a dedicated JavaScript library for viewing PDF documents directly in web browsers, providing compatibility and self-contained functionality.

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Detailed Comparison

MathJax	PDF.js
It is a JavaScript display engine for mathematics that works in all browsers. No more setup for readers. It just works.	It is a Portable Document Format (PDF) viewer that is built with HTML5. It is community-driven and supported by Mozilla Labs. The goal is to create a general-purpose, web standards-based platform for parsing and rendering PDFs.
High-quality typography;Modular Input & Output;Accessible & reusable	General-purpose;Platform for parsing and rendering PDFs;Built with HTML5
Statistics
GitHub Stars 10.7K	GitHub Stars 52.2K
GitHub Forks 1.2K	GitHub Forks 10.5K
Stacks 232	Stacks 241
Followers 23	Followers 86
Votes 0	Votes 0
Integrations
HTML5 JavaScript CSS 3 Firefox Opera Browser Google Chrome	HTML5 JavaScript Firefox Google Chrome

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Related Comparisons

MathJax vs PDF.js: What are the differences?

**Key Differences between MathJax and PDF.js**

Rendering Format: MathJax is primarily designed to render and display mathematical equations and formulas in web browsers by using MathML, LaTeX, or AsciiMath notations. It supports a wide range of mathematical symbols and formulas for accurate rendering. On the other hand, PDF.js is a JavaScript library that allows rendering and viewing of PDF documents directly in web browsers. While it can display text and images, it does not specifically focus on mathematical equations.
Output Types: MathJax produces dynamic and interactive mathematical equations that can be manipulated or interacted with by users. It supports rendering equations in various formats, such as HTML, MathML, and SVG, allowing for enhanced accessibility and interactivity. In contrast, PDF.js generates static and fixed representations of PDF documents, making it suitable for displaying non-interactive content like articles, reports, and documentation.
Dependencies: MathJax relies on JavaScript and additional web technologies to render mathematical equations. It can be easily integrated into webpages by adding a small JavaScript code snippet and specifying the desired rendering format. Conversely, PDF.js is a self-contained JavaScript library that does not have external dependencies, allowing it to be used independently for rendering PDFs without the need for other libraries or technologies.
Accessibility: MathJax provides robust support for accessibility features, making mathematical content more accessible to visually impaired users who rely on screen readers. It can generate accessible descriptions for mathematical expressions and provides navigation options for keyboard-only users. In contrast, PDF.js has limited accessibility features, which are mainly focused on general document accessibility, such as alternate text for images and navigational elements.
Browser Compatibility: MathJax is designed to work across various web browsers and platforms, ensuring consistent rendering of mathematical equations across different environments. It is compatible with modern browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, as well as older versions of Internet Explorer. Meanwhile, PDF.js is also compatible with major web browsers but may require additional support or configurations for optimal performance in certain scenarios.
Supported File Formats: MathJax does not directly handle file formats, as it primarily focuses on rendering mathematical equations within HTML documents. It can process equations written in MathML, LaTeX, or AsciiMath regardless of the document's file format. Conversely, PDF.js specifically handles PDF file formats and allows for direct rendering and viewing of PDF documents within a web browser without the need for external plugins or software.

MathJax vs PDF.js

Overview