PDF.js
PDF.js is an open-source JavaScript library developed by Mozilla that renders PDF documents directly in web browsers without requiring native plugins like Adobe Reader. It parses and displays PDF files using HTML5 Canvas and Web Workers, providing a lightweight, cross-platform solution for embedding PDFs in web applications. The library includes a viewer component with features such as text selection, zooming, and printing.
Developers should use PDF.js when building web applications that need to display PDF files securely and efficiently in the browser, such as document management systems, e-learning platforms, or online report viewers. It is particularly valuable for avoiding dependency on external plugins, ensuring compatibility across devices and browsers, and enabling customization of the PDF viewing experience through its API.