What does the acronym “PDF” stand for?

The acronym "PDF" stands for Portable Document Format. This file format was developed by Adobe in the early 1990s to enable users to present documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems. A PDF can encapsulate a variety of document elements, including text, fonts, images, and vector graphics, enabling consistent viewing across different platforms and devices. The term "portable" emphasizes the format's versatility, allowing for easy sharing and accessibility without losing the integrity of the document's layout.

Other definitions that might appear plausible can be misleading; for instance, while documents can be printed from a PDF format, it is not limited to printing purposes, hence alternatives related to printing and protection do not fully capture the essence of the PDF format. The key feature of PDFs is the ability to maintain formatting across diverse viewing environments, which is a foundational aspect of their design and usage.