1
 brew search --casks pdf

returns

abbyy-finereader-pdf        pd                          pdf-toolbox                 pdfpenpro
cisdem-pdf-converter-ocr    pdf-converter-master        pdfelement                  pdfsam-basic
combine-pdfs                pdf-expert                  pdfelement-express          pdfshaver
epub-to-pdf                 pdf-images                  pdfextractor                rwts-pdfwriter
foxit-pdf-editor            pdf-over                    pdfify                      sejda-pdf
master-pdf-editor           pdf-reader-pro              pdfkey-pro                  wkhtmltopdf
nitro-pdf-pro               pdf-squeezer                pdfpen

The goal is to identify as many pdf editors as possible (maybe there is another good search term besides pdf?), and reduce the list to those that are free and preferably open source. Any suggestions regarding process are appreciated. Thank you

To be clear: I am asking a question regarding the process of identification and elimination, not a suggestion for software application. That being said, all suggestions are appreciated.

gatorback
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    To identify a PDF editor, you’d ideally have to look at the formulae/cask description. You can try brew info —all | grep -i “PDF Editor” to get any thing with this term. Disclaimer: I use MacPorts, so I cannot test this. – Allan May 31 '23 at 19:25
  • Does it have to be Homebrew? A search on GitHub for “PDF Editor” with 5 or more stars yields 37 results – Allan May 31 '23 at 20:03
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    Define "Editor". Something that alters PDF documents? I've written loads of python scripts that do that. Also: As far as I know, Nitro-PDF-Pro is paid-for GUI app. It's certainly not open source. – benwiggy May 31 '23 at 22:08
  • Homebrew is not a good way to find exhaustive lists. It is just those that have a Homebrew formula. 2) AFAIK there are no free and good PDF editors - that might simplify your search :)
    • – Gilby May 31 '23 at 23:12
  • @Allan there is no brew info -all – Gilby May 31 '23 at 23:16
  • Foxit isn't open source, either, and the free product is limited in its editing capabilities. If you're looking for an automatic method of collating a list of software types, then I don't think there is one. (Also, GhostScript is notably absent here.) – benwiggy Jun 01 '23 at 07:32