What’s the Best Language to Build a File Conversion App?

Under the hood, EPUBs are pretty straightforward since they're basically HTML, but PDFs are notoriously tricky. If you're up for the challenge, consider using a more performant language like Go or C++. However, if speed isn't your primary concern, Python's straightforwardness might be the way to go.

Any language could technically work, but it really depends on your needs. If you're only converting single files, a scripting language like Python is fine, but if you plan to batch process thousands of files, speed starts to matter. In that case, look into languages like Go or Rust.

This project might be more complicated than you realize! Each file format has a unique way of representing data, so you'll have to parse the original format and then create a new representation for the target format. There are companies that specialize in this area, so keep in mind that it's a tough challenge even for seasoned developers. If you're just starting, using existing libraries for conversion would be a more practical approach.

The choice of language is less about the language itself and more about the libraries you'll need for file manipulation. Python has a lot of useful libraries for working with EPUB and PDF. Look into libraries that simplify the conversion process for you; otherwise, jumping into the raw file formats can complicate things big time.

Python is often suggested for projects like this because it's beginner-friendly yet powerful. The challenge really lies in the complexity of EPUB and PDF formats. You'll likely need libraries to help with reading and writing these formats, but even then, understanding the specifications can be tough. If you're new to programming, consider tackling some simpler projects first to build your skills before diving into this one.