def dist(obj1, obj2):
            """A distance function between two TextBoxes.

            Consider the bounding rectangle for obj1 and obj2.
            Return its area less the areas of obj1 and obj2,
            shown as 'www' below. This value may be negative.
                    +------+..........+ (x1, y1)
                    | obj1 |wwwwwwwwww:
                    +------+www+------+
                    :wwwwwwwwww| obj2 |
            (x0, y0) +..........+------+
            """
            x0 = min(obj1.x0, obj2.x0)
            y0 = min(obj1.y0, obj2.y0)
            x1 = max(obj1.x1, obj2.x1)
            y1 = max(obj1.y1, obj2.y1)
            return ((x1-x0)*(y1-y0) - obj1.width*obj1.height - obj2.width*obj2.height)
A distance function between two TextBoxes.

            Consider the bounding rectangle for obj1 and obj2.
            Return its area less the areas of obj1 and obj2,
            shown as 'www' below. This value may be negative.
                    +------+..........+ (x1, y1)
                    | obj1 |wwwwwwwwww:
                    +------+www+------+
                    :wwwwwwwwww| obj2 |
            (x0, y0) +..........+------+
            
pdfminer/layout.py