Implementing Text Signing with Event Handling Using GroupDocs.Signature for Java

Introduction

In today’s digital world, efficient document workflow management is key for business professionals and developers alike. This tutorial will guide you through implementing text signing in Java using GroupDocs.Signature for Java, focusing on event handling to effectively monitor the signing process.

What You’ll Learn:

Set up and use GroupDocs.Signature for Java
Implement start, progress, and completion events during the signing process
Handle text signature options and customize placement

Let’s get started with setting up your environment!

Prerequisites

Before implementing text signing with event handling, ensure you have covered these prerequisites:

Required Libraries and Dependencies

To use GroupDocs.Signature for Java, include it in your project. Follow these steps based on your build tool:

Maven:

<dependency>
    <groupId>com.groupdocs</groupId>
    <artifactId>groupdocs-signature</artifactId>
    <version>23.12</version>
</dependency>

Gradle:

implementation 'com.groupdocs:groupdocs-signature:23.12'

Alternatively, download the latest version from GroupDocs.Signature for Java releases.

Environment Setup

Ensure your development environment is configured with:

JDK 8 or higher
A compatible IDE (e.g., IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse)
Maven or Gradle installed if using those tools

Knowledge Prerequisites

A basic understanding of Java programming and event-driven architecture will be beneficial as we explore the implementation details.

Setting Up GroupDocs.Signature for Java

To start using GroupDocs.Signature for Java:

Installation: Add the dependency to your project’s build file (Maven or Gradle) as shown above.
License Acquisition: Obtain a free trial license from GroupDocs, purchase a full license, or request a temporary one for extended testing.

Once you have the library ready and your environment set up, initialize GroupDocs.Signature in your Java application:

import com.groupdocs.signature.Signature;

public class SignatureSetup {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        String filePath = "path/to/your/document.pdf";
        Signature signature = new Signature(filePath);
        
        // Your document is now ready to be signed with GroupDocs.Signature for Java.
    }
}

Implementation Guide

Sign Process Start Event

The signing process can be monitored from the moment it begins. Here’s how you handle the start event:

Overview

This feature allows your application to respond when a signing operation starts, providing insights into initiation details.

Steps

3.1 Define the Event Handler Create an event handler method that notifies when the signing process has started:

import com.groupdocs.signature.handler.events.ProcessStartEventArgs;
import com.groupdocs.signature.handler.events.ProcessStartEventHandler;

public class SignProcessStart {
    public static void onSignStarted(Signature sender, ProcessStartEventArgs args) {
        System.out.println("Signing process started: " + args.getSignatureDefinition().getSignatureType());
    }
}

3.2 Subscribe to the Event Subscribe to the SignStarted event in your main signing method:

signature.SignStarted.add(new ProcessStartEventHandler() {
    public void invoke(Signature sender, ProcessStartEventArgs args) {
        SignProcessStart.onSignStarted(sender, args);
    }
});

Sign Progress Event

Tracking progress allows for real-time updates or efficient handling of long-running processes.

Overview

This feature tracks the progress of the signing operation and provides status updates.

Steps

3.1 Define the Progress Event Handler Set up a method to capture progress details:

import com.groupdocs.signature.handler.events.ProcessProgressEventArgs;
import com.groupdocs.signature.handler.events.ProcessProgressEventHandler;

public class SignProgress {
    public static void onSignProgress(Signature sender, ProcessProgressEventArgs args) {
        System.out.println("Signing progress: " + args.getPercentCompleted() + "% completed");
    }
}

3.2 Subscribe to the Progress Event Add an event listener for progress updates:

signature.SignProgress.add(new ProcessProgressEventHandler() {
    public void invoke(Signature sender, ProcessProgressEventArgs args) {
        SignProgress.onSignProgress(sender, args);
    }
});

Sign Completion Event

Knowing when a signing process is complete allows for subsequent actions or logging.

Overview

This feature notifies your application upon completion of a signing operation.

Steps

3.1 Define the Completion Event Handler Capture details once the process completes:

import com.groupdocs.signature.handler.events.ProcessCompleteEventArgs;
import com.groupdocs.signature.handler.events.ProcessCompleteEventHandler;

public class SignCompletion {
    public static void onSignCompleted(Signature sender, ProcessCompleteEventArgs args) {
        System.out.println("Signing completed: " + args.getSignatureDefinition().getSignatureType());
    }
}

3.2 Subscribe to the Completion Event Listen for completion events:

signature.SignCompleted.add(new ProcessCompleteEventHandler() {
    public void invoke(Signature sender, ProcessCompleteEventArgs args) {
        SignCompletion.onSignCompleted(sender, args);
    }
});

Text Signature Signing

Now that event handling is set up, implement text signature signing.

Overview

This feature demonstrates how to sign documents with a text-based signature using GroupDocs.Signature for Java.

Steps

3.1 Sign a Document Define the method to perform the actual signing operation:

import com.groupdocs.signature.options.sign.TextSignOptions;
import java.io.File;
import java.nio.file.Paths;

public class SignWithTextSignature {
    public static void signDocument() throws Exception {
        String filePath = "YOUR_DOCUMENT_DIRECTORY";
        String fileName = Paths.get(filePath).getFileName().toString();
        
        String outputFilePath = new File("YOUR_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY", "SignWithTextEvents/" + fileName).getPath();
        Signature signature = new Signature(filePath);

        // Subscribe to signing events
        signature.SignStarted.add(new ProcessStartEventHandler() {
            public void invoke(Signature sender, ProcessStartEventArgs args) {
                SignProcessStart.onSignStarted(sender, args);
            }
        });

        signature.SignProgress.add(new ProcessProgressEventHandler() {
            public void invoke(Signature sender, ProcessProgressEventArgs args) {
                SignProgress.onSignProgress(sender, args);
            }
        });

        signature.SignCompleted.add(new ProcessCompleteEventHandler() {
            public void invoke(Signature sender, ProcessCompleteEventArgs args) {
                SignCompletion.onSignCompleted(sender, args);
            }
        });

        // Define text signature options
        TextSignOptions options = new TextSignOptions("John Smith");
        options.setLeft(100);  // Set the left position of the signature
        options.setTop(100);   // Set the top position of the signature
        
        // Perform signing operation
        signature.sign(outputFilePath, options);
    }
}

Conclusion

By following this guide, you have learned how to implement text signing in Java using GroupDocs.Signature for Java with event handling. This approach enhances your application’s functionality and provides real-time insights into the document signing process.

Next Steps:

Experiment with different signature options available in GroupDocs.Signature.
Explore additional features such as digital signatures or image-based signatures.
Consider integrating this solution into larger applications for enhanced workflow automation.