Using LaTeX

Using LaTeX introduces the LaTeX markup language, and provides high-level information to get you started using it, and to help you understand its syntax.

Using LaTeX

Main article: Using LaTeX to format documents

The full LaTeX language is understood by a TeX processor, and can be used to typeset complete documents. A subset of LaTeX for mathematical expressions can be invoked in a wiki using the <math> . . . </math> tags.

LaTeX language

Main article: LaTeX language

The LaTeX language consists of a "preamble" followed by "document text".

Example of a minimal document

\documentclass{class}
… your preamble goes here …
\begin{document}
… your text goes here …
\end{document}


Continuation lines

Any line can be continued without any special signal to the LaTeX processor. Single "newline" characters are simply ignored, except to end a comment, as described in the next section.

Comments

The % character begins a comment. The rest of the line is ignored by the LaTeX processor. For very windy comments, the comment environment, which comes with the verbatim package, can be used, like this:

\begin{comment} % --------------- multi-line comment ---------------

This text is completely ignored by LaTeX. The ability to have long-winded comments comes from the "`verbatim"' package, which provides the "`comment"' environment.

\end{comment} % --------------- end multi-line comment ---------------

Blank lines

In paragraph mode, the default mode in LaTeX, a blank line ends a paragraph. In math mode, which is entered using using \( or \[ or by beginning one of the math environments, blank lines are not allowed.

LaTeX subset for wiki

Main article: Using LaTeX in a wiki

In a wiki, LaTeX markup is enclosed by <math> ... </math> tags.

Using LaTeX on Windows

Main article: Using LaTeX on Windows

If you are using the Windows Vista (or Windows 7) operating system, and you want to use LaTeX, and you want to install good software without spending any money, then you can install the open source proTeXt package edit and process LaTeX documents.

LaTeX syntax

LaTeX consists of

• "symbols" that control the content of rendered text, also introduced by a backslash and possibly having subscripts and superscripts.
• "commands" that control size and positioning of rendered text, introduced by a backslash and possibly having parameters,

LaTeX environments

Main article: LaTeX environment

An "environment" is enclosed by \begin{environmentname} and \end{environmentname}. The wiki <math>...</math> tags create an equation* (unnumbered equation) environment. Several environments listed here are alternatives to the unnumbered equation environment, and cannot be nested inside it, so they can't be used in a wiki.

LaTeX commands

Main article: LaTeX commands

LaTeX commands are introduced by a backslash, and possibly have parameters, which might be enclosed in curly braces. Some commands come in pairs, with a beginning command, followed by the stuff that ends up "inside" it, followed by the corresponding ending command.

Parameters

Following \commandname, or \symbolname, there may be one or more parameters. Optional parameters are enclosed in square brackets. Required parameters are enclosed in curly braces. The following example shows an extensible right arrow symbol with one optional parameter (rendered below the arrow) and one reuired parameter (rendered above it).

The following LaTeX markup...	...results in this:
\xrightarrow[T]{n\pm i-1}	$\xrightarrow[T]{n\pm i-1}$

Subscripts and superscripts

A subscript is denoted by the underscore character (_). A superscript is denoted by the carat (^) character. Just like the parameters of a command, the subscript or superscript can be enclosed in curly braces if it's longer than one symbol.

Subscripts and superscripts of a symbol are rendered either beneath and above the symbol, as in \sum, or to the right of the symbol, as in \sin.

The following LaTeX markup...	...results in this:
\sum_{i=0}^n a_i^2	$\sum_{i=0}^n a_i^2$
y = \sin^2(x)	$y = \sin^2(x)$
\operatorname{first}_{i=0}^n	$\operatorname{first}_{i=0}^n$

External references

• LaTeX2e unofficial reference manual
• Short Math Guide for LaTeX, by Michael Downes, AMS
• User’s Guide for the amsmath Package
• The Comprehensive LaTeX Symbols List (Pakin)
• LaTeX reference card
• CTAN, the Comprehensive TeX Archive Network
• LaTeX help file for the VIM editor
• LaTeX help at wikipedia