PDF Generation in C++: Libraries, Tools, and Code Examples

PDF Generation in C++: Overview of Libraries and Tools

Generating PDF documents is one of the common tasks in C++ software development. From creating simple reports to complex multi-page documents with tables, images, and graphics. In this article, we will review the most popular libraries and tools for working with PDF in C++, their capabilities, advantages and disadvantages, and provide practical code examples.

Why is PDF Generation Needed in C++?

PDF (Portable Document Format) is a cross-platform format that preserves document layout regardless of the device and operating system. In C++, PDF generation is required for:

• Creating reports and invoices in business applications
• Generating documentation from templates
• Exporting data from databases
• Generating receipts and waybills in accounting systems

Main Libraries for Working with PDF in C++

1. libharu (HARU PDF)

One of the most popular and easy-to-use libraries for PDF generation. Written in C, but has an excellent C++ interface. Allows you to create PDF documents from scratch, add text, images, lines, rectangles, annotations.

Features:

• Small size and high performance
• TrueType font support
• Page compression
• Image support (JPEG, PNG)
• License: ZLIB/Libpng (free)

Example of generating a simple PDF:

#include <hpdf.h>#include <stdio.h>

int main() {    HPDF_Doc pdf = HPDF_New(NULL, NULL);    HPDF_Page page = HPDF_AddPage(pdf);        // Set page size to A4    HPDF_Page_SetSize(page, HPDF_PAGE_SIZE_A4, HPDF_PAGE_LANDSCAPE);        // Add text    HPDF_Page_BeginText(page);    HPDF_Page_SetFontAndSize(page, HPDF_GetFont(pdf, "Helvetica", NULL), 24);    HPDF_Page_TextOut(page, 100, 500, "Hello, PDF world in C++!");    HPDF_Page_EndText(page);        // Save the document    HPDF_SaveToFile(pdf, "output.pdf");    HPDF_Free(pdf);    return 0;}

2. PoDoFo

A modern open-source C++ library for working with PDF. Supports not only creation but also editing of existing PDF files. Well-documented and actively maintained.

Features:

• Pure C++ code (modern standards)
• Unicode and Cyrillic support
• Working with forms, bookmarks, metadata
• PDF reading and writing
• License: LGPL

Example of creating a PDF with a table:

#include <podofo/podofo.h>

using namespace PoDoFo;

int main() {    PdfMemDocument document;    PdfPage* page = document.CreatePage(PdfPage::CreateStandardPageSize(PdfPageSize::A4));    PdfPainter painter;    painter.SetCanvas(*page);        // Draw a table    painter.DrawRect(50, 700, 500, 30);    painter.DrawText(60, 710, "Table header");        // Save    painter.FinishPage();    document.Save("table.pdf");    return 0;}

3. wkhtmltopdf

Not a library in the classical sense, but a command-line utility that uses the WebKit engine to convert HTML to PDF. In C++, you can call it via system() or use a wrapper library.

Features:

• Ideal for generating PDF from HTML templates
• Support for CSS, JavaScript, SVG
• High-quality layout (as in a browser)
• Headers, footers, table of contents, page numbering
• License: LGPLv3

Example of calling from C++:

#include <cstdlib>

int main() {    // Convert HTML file to PDF    int result = std::system("w