XSL-FO vs CSS Paged Media

Developers should learn XSL-FO when they need to generate high-quality, structured print documents or PDFs from XML data, such as reports, invoices, or books meets developers should learn css paged media when creating web applications that require high-quality print output, such as invoices, reports, or e-books, as it ensures documents are well-formatted for physical or digital printing. Here's our take.

XSL-FO

Nice Pick

Developers should learn XSL-FO when they need to generate high-quality, structured print documents or PDFs from XML data, such as reports, invoices, or books

Pros

• It is particularly useful in enterprise environments where XML is the primary data format and precise control over pagination, typography, and layout is required
• Related to: xml, xslt

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

CSS Paged Media

Developers should learn CSS Paged Media when creating web applications that require high-quality print output, such as invoices, reports, or e-books, as it ensures documents are well-formatted for physical or digital printing

Pros

• It is essential for projects involving PDF generation from HTML/CSS, as it provides control over page-specific styling that standard CSS lacks, improving readability and professionalism in printed materials
• Related to: css, html

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. XSL-FO is a tool while CSS Paged Media is a concept. We picked XSL-FO based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

XSL-FO wins

Based on overall popularity. XSL-FO is more widely used, but CSS Paged Media excels in its own space.