ASF announces Apache FOP version 1.0

FOREST HILL, USA: The Apache Software Foundation (ASF) has announced the Version 1.0 release of Apache FOP, the Open Source XSL Formatting Objects Processor.

An Apache project since 1999, FOP is one of the industry's first print formatters driven by W3C-standard XSL Formatting Objects created to display, convert, and print to formats such as PDF, PostScript, SVG, RTF, and XML.

The Apache FOP code base has grown over the past decade under the guidance of a Project Management Committee (PMC) who oversee its day-to-day activities and community development said a release.

"FOP v.1.0 provides a good subset of the W3C XSL-FO 1.0/1.1 specification. Its stable, 1.0 designation provides added recognition as the productive tool it has been for years," said Jeremias Marki, member of the Apache XML Graphics Project Management Committee.

"Its redesign and improved features in the layout engine makes it an even better experience for the many developers and users who produce millions of pages each year," added Marki.

"Thunderhead relies on open standards, and FOP is at the heart of our innovative NOW platform. We are proud to have been able to play a part in its development," said Glen Manchester, CEO of Thunderhead. "As long-time supporters of FOP, our congratulations go to the whole FOP team at Apache on reaching the Version 1.0 milestone."

The release of FOP v.1.0 completes a free XML software stack, comprising: Apache Xerces, Apache Xalan, and Apache FOP. The ability to insert graphics into one's print output is possible using Apache Batik. The Apache XML stack makes transforming and formatting XML data (for example DocBook XML) a viable option for individual and start-up users without business cash flow.

"The training wheels are long gone," said Apache XML Graphics PMC Chair Simon Pepping. "FOP's popularity is undisputed; FOP is used from an individual developer's pet project to large-scale document production. FOP is not yet 'feature complete', and work on it is continuing. We hope this important step forward will motivate skilled developers to jump in and help us make Apache FOP even better."