🔗 Writing a PDF parser in PHP from scratch

PDFs can be notoriously complex, presenting significant challenges in extracting data. Driven by my previous struggles with existing libraries like smalot/pdfparser, I set out to create a more robust solution. After two years of intermittent development, I launched the prinsfrank/pdfparser, aiming for a PHP library that allowed straightforward contributions and full typing for objects. Initially tough, the project gained momentum when I re-engaged in late 2024, culminating in the release of version 2.0, which now includes features like positional context and image extraction. I'm even tackling encrypted PDFs next! This journey underscores the intricacies of PDF parsing and the ongoing demand for better solutions in this space.