PDF.js vs Showdown: What are the differences?

1. Rendering PDFs vs Markdown: PDF.js is a JavaScript library used for rendering PDFs in a web browser, allowing users to view PDF files directly on a website. On the other hand, Showdown is a Markdown to HTML converter that converts Markdown content into formatted HTML for display.

2. File Format Handling: PDF.js is specifically designed to handle PDF files, ensuring proper rendering and viewing capabilities within a web browser. In contrast, Showdown is tailored for processing Markdown content, focusing on converting and displaying Markdown text as HTML.

3. Interactive Features: PDF.js enables users to interact with PDF content, such as zooming, searching, and navigating through pages. In comparison, Showdown primarily focuses on converting Markdown text into HTML without providing interactive features like PDF.js.

4. Integration Complexity: Integrating PDF.js into a website may require more technical expertise due to its specific focus on rendering PDF files. Showdown, on the other hand, offers a more straightforward integration process for converting Markdown content to HTML.

5. Compatibility: PDF.js is suitable for rendering PDF files on various web browsers that support JavaScript capabilities. In contrast, Showdown can be used across different platforms and browsers for converting Markdown to HTML, making it more versatile in terms of compatibility.

6. Customization Options: PDF.js provides various options for customizing the viewing experience of PDF files within a web browser, such as changing layout settings or adding annotations. Showdown, while offering some customization features, primarily focuses on the conversion process from Markdown to HTML.

In Summary, PDF.js is specialized in rendering PDF files with interactive features while Showdown is focused on converting Markdown content to HTML with a simpler integration process and wider compatibility.