Show HN: Tetris in a PDF (th0mas.nl)

Article summary

The article presents a PDF that contains a playable game of Tetris, which has sparked a discussion about the capabilities of PDFs and the use of JavaScript in them. The PDF's functionality is not supported by all PDF readers, including Preview on Mac OS. The use of JavaScript in PDFs is a standard feature, but its implementation and support vary across different readers. The discussion also touches on the potential security risks associated with executable code in PDFs.

Main themes

• PDF capabilities
• JavaScript in PDFs
• Security risks
• PDF readers
• Executable code

What commenters say

• The use of JavaScript in PDFs is a powerful feature that can be used to create interactive and dynamic content, but it also poses security risks.
• The implementation of JavaScript in PDFs is not consistent across different readers, leading to compatibility issues.
• Some commenters believe that the use of JavaScript in PDFs is a waste of time and resources, while others see it as a valuable tool for creating engaging content.
• The inclusion of executable code in PDFs is a security risk that can be exploited by malicious actors, and its use should be approached with caution.
• The discussion around JavaScript in PDFs highlights the trade-off between functionality and security, with some arguing that the benefits outweigh the risks and others advocating for a more cautious approach.
• The use of JavaScript in PDFs can be used to create innovative and interactive content, such as games and calculators, but it requires careful consideration of the potential security implications.