Simplifying Form Fields Reading When Upgrading from iTextSharp to iText7

Описание: Discover how to effectively read form fields using iText7 after moving away from iTextSharp, and learn why your code might require additional lines in this upgrade.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/68626161/ asked by the user 'dwillits' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/14049388/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/68671580/ provided by the user 'Alexey Subach' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/2333458/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Upgrading from iTextSharp to iText7: Reading Form Fields Made Simple

As software evolves, staying updated with the latest tools is essential for maintaining the functionality of your scripts. If you're accustomed to using iTextSharp for PDF manipulations and are now transitioning to iText7, you may encounter some bumps along the way. One common question among SysAdmins is: How can I read form fields in iText7 the way I did in iTextSharp, but more efficiently?

In this post, we'll explore the nuances of upgrading from iTextSharp to iText7 with a focus on reading form fields seamlessly.

Understanding the Change: iTextSharp vs. iText7

The Old Way with iTextSharp

In your previous code using iTextSharp, the process of reading a form field was quite straightforward:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This code succinctly accomplishes the task in just a few lines. However, iText7 introduces a more modular approach which might seem complex at first glance.

The New Way with iText7

Here’s the revised code using iText7:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Why the Extra Lines?

At first glance, it may seem that iText7's approach is more cumbersome due to the additional lines of code. However, the complexity follows a more structured methodology that enhances clarity and offers better flexibility for developers. Here’s how:

Modularity: Each component of the PDF (Reader, Document, Form) is handled in distinct steps, making the process more transparent.

Scalability: As the needs of your application grow, having a well-structured code becomes handy for implementing more complex functionalities.

Handling Chaining Limitations in PowerShell

If you notice that you cannot chain methods like $Form.GetField("FirstName").GetValue() as simply as you did in iTextSharp, it's important to realize that this limitation is intrinsic to PowerShell, not iText7. In contrast, languages like C# or Java allow such chaining seamlessly, offering a more fluid development experience.

Conclusion: Embracing the Change

Transitioning from iTextSharp to iText7 may introduce a bit of complexity in how you read form fields, but it also brings substantial benefits in terms of code clarity and flexibility. By understanding the reasons behind the additional lines, you can leverage the strengths of iText7 while maintaining your productivity.

For anyone accustomed to iTextSharp, the shift to iText7 might feel like a maze at first. However, with a little patience and exploration, you will find that these modifications ultimately lead to a more robust development experience. Happy coding!