PDL

PDL is an acronym with multiple meanings across different fields, and its intended reference is usually clarified by context.

In printing and typesetting, PDL stands for page description language. This class of languages describes the visual appearance of a page, enabling printers and drivers to render text, graphics, and layout. Prominent examples include Adobe PostScript and Hewlett-Packard’s Printer Command Language (PCL). Printers may support one or more PDLs and may convert descriptions into raster images for actual printing.

In dentistry, PDL denotes the periodontal ligament, a specialized connective tissue that surrounds the tooth root and anchors it to the surrounding alveolar bone. The periodontal ligament contains collagen fibers, cells, blood vessels, and nerves. It helps absorb and distribute chewing forces, provides proprioceptive feedback, and participates in the remodeling of the surrounding bone and gum tissue.

In computing, PDL commonly refers to the Perl Data Language, an extension of the Perl programming language designed for scientific computing. PDL provides large, multi-dimensional arrays and optimized numerical operations, enabling efficient manipulation of big datasets and integration with compiled code and external libraries.

Other uses of the acronym exist in various organizations, political entities, or local schemes and are generally specific to a country or field. Because PDL is context-dependent, disambiguation is typically required to identify the intended meaning.