Getting To Know The TCP/IP Edition Of Quick PDF Library

UPDATE: There is now a 64-bit compatible version of Quick PDF Library available as part of version 8. Read more here. Native 64-bit support is provided for the DLL, ActiveX and Delphi editions.

OK, here’s something you probably weren’t expecting – over the past few months, we’ve been working on a version of Quick PDF Library that does a few things.

Firstly, it provides you with the ability to work with 64-bit applications in a native 64-bit environment, as well as the flexibility of accessing Quick PDF Library via TCP/IP from any computer within network reach.

This new edition of the library is now being distributed with the current version of Quick PDF Library. You’ll find all of the files necessary for the TCP/IP edition in the default installation directory (C:\Program Files\Quick PDF Library\TCP).

In this short tutorial, we’re going to show you how to get up and running with this exciting new edition.

Step 1. Install the Quick PDF Library TCP/IP service

Copy the files QuickPDFTCP0714.exe and QuickPDFTCP0714.ini to the folder containing your application (example: C:\QuickPDFLibrary\TCP\

Open a command line in administrator mode, run the following command to install the service “C:\QuickPDFLibrary\TCP\QuickPDFTCP0714.exe” /install

Step 2. Start the service

Edit the settings file QuickPDFTCP0714.ini modifying the IP address and port as you wish:

IPAddress=127.0.0.1
Port=10005

This allows you access the local host on your machine – you can also use this to communicate with machines across your network.

Run the following command to start the service:
net start QuickPDFTCPService0714

Step 3. A simple C# example

Create a simple C# application and add the QuickPDFTCP0714.cs to your project.

Add a single button to the default form, double click and add the following action:

private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
QuickPDFTCP0714.Client qp = new QuickPDFTCP0714.Client();
if (qp.Connect(“127.0.0.1”, 10005))
{
if (qp.UnlockKey(“YOUR KEY”) == 1)
{
qp.DrawText(100, 500, “Hello from C# via TCP/IP”);
qp.SaveToFile(“C:\\temp\\test.pdf”);
}
else
{
MessageBox.Show(“Could not unlock”);
}
}
}

Start the application, click the button, and then open an Explorer window and check the “c:\temp” folder. You should find a simple file, “test.pdf” with the “Hello from C# via TCP/IP” text in the middle.

How else can you use this?

• Provide your .NET managed code a way of accessing Quick PDF Library.
• Write 64-bit code targeting a 64-bit processor.
• Connect to Quick PDF Library servers across networks.

I’m sure you’ll find lots of interesting uses for this interface, please leave a comment to let me know and we’ll publish some of these stories on the site.

Note: The TCP/IP socket interface provides the “glue” for the 32-bit Quick PDF Library to talk directly with 32-bit and 64-bit builds, managed processes and also remote installations.