What is LaTeX?
TeX (usually pronounced like "tech", not the begining of "tex-mex") is a special-purpose programming language that is the centerpiece of a typesetting system that produces publication quality mathematics (and surrounding text), available to and usable by individuals.
LaTeX (pronounced like "lay tech", not like a glove) is an extension of TeX that makes it easier to use. Specifically, LaTeX adds easy-to-use commands to TeX. You can go your whole life using LaTeX without ever worrying about TeX. (TeX commands are still legal in LaTeX, just in case you want to learn TeX and have even more control over your document.)
TeX and LaTeX are enviromnets for typing structured documents easily.
LaTeX is not...
- ...a word processor (like MS Word or WordPerfect.) It does not check spelling (although a good editor like WinEdt will do that) or hold your hand while you type.
- ...a desktop publishing tool (like MS Publisher.) If you want to make a flyer, I recommend MS Publisher. If you want to write a book, article, paper, dissertation or thesis, then use LaTeX.
- As it says at the TeX Users Group, "if you want a tool for producing a newspaper or a novel or a slick advertisement or a letter to Aunt Henrietta, unless you're already using it for something else (say your dissertation), TeX is not the tool for you."
Components: There are essentially three pieces (of software) that comprise LaTeX:
- A text editor:
- Usage: This is what you use to type the document.
- Examples: Notepad is the text editor most Windows users know. The editor I use every day in Windows is WinEdt (free to try, pay to buy, worth it.) UNIX text editors include nano (comes preloaded with Ubuntu), nedit, emacs, and vi. Macs use TeXShop and other editors.
- LaTeX:
- Usage: This gets your text file as input and creates either a DVI or PDF file as output.
- Examples: There are a variety of versions, or "distributions," of LaTeX itself. All of them generate the same results; some offer additional fonts or easier installation routines. The other differences are not important for now. Windows users will probably use MiKTeX. UNIX users will probably not know what package they are using, but it doesn't matter. Mac users have several choices, but MacTeX seems to be a common choice.
- A Viewer to look at the DVI or PDF file:
- Usage: This allows you to view and print the DVI file generated by LaTeX.
- Examples: You have probably never heard of them. Windows users will use Yap, which comes with MiKTeX. UNIX users will probably use xdvi, kdvi, and the like.