readerviewer

Readerviewer is a term used to describe software components or applications that present textual content in a readable, distraction-free format for readers and viewers. It is not a single product but a generic concept used across web and app development to separate content presentation from the source document. Readerviewers typically provide a reflowable layout, typography controls, and accessible rendering, enabling users to adjust font size, line height, margins, and color themes to suit preferences or accessibility needs. They often include features such as article extraction from web pages (removing ads and navigation), support for multiple document formats (HTML, ePub, PDF), and navigation aids like a table of contents, bookmarks, and progress indicators.

Implementation approaches vary: some readerviewers operate as client-side libraries embedded in web apps, others as standalone apps or browser extensions. Architectures commonly include a content parser or extractor, a rendering engine or layout layer, a styling system, and optional plugins for features such as annotations, highlights, text-to-speech, or offline caching. Accessibility considerations are central, including keyboard navigation, ARIA roles, and screen-reader compatibility.

Typical use cases include news aggregators offering a clean reading view, educational tools presenting textbooks, and assistive technologies that improve readability for users with visual impairments. The term is closely related to browser "Reader View/Reader Mode" and to e-reader software, but it remains a generic descriptor rather than a standardized product.

See also: readability, reader mode, e-reader, content rendering, accessibility.