LaTeX/TeX is a mark-up language that produces attractive text. LaTeX typesets a text file with commands tha describe how the text should be formatted. Like other languages, it is best learned by looking at examples.

The advantages of LaTeX include that it is public domain, platform and printer independent, allows mathematical symbols and equations to be entered much easier and quicker than word processors, and produces camera ready text. Its disadvantage is that it is not as easy to learn initially as a word processor.

Another reason for using LaTeX is that markup languages are becoming more important. But the most important reason is that after you learn LaTeX, you can focus on your writing and become more productive.

Look at this LaTeX file to see examples of various TeX commands and then look at the output to see the typesetted file. Download TeX file and figures.

Links

• ReVTex4.1 example, output, and files. If you want to use the same style as articles for Physical Review and the American Journal of Physics, use REVTeX 4.1. See what happens to superscripts when you replace prb by pre. If you want two columns, add twocolumn in the brackets [...].
• Mac OSX: TeXShop
• Windows: MiKTeX, WinEdt, LaTeXEditor
• Lyx works like a conventional word processor, but uses LaTeX as its typesetting engine in the background.
• Wiki guide to LaTeX.
• The Not So Short Introduction to LaTeX.
• Recommended book: Helmut Kopka and Patrick Daly, A Guide to LaTeX (Addison-Wesley, 2004), 4th ed., ISBN 0-321-17385-6.
• CTAN: the Comprehensive TeX Archive Network, LaTeX project site
• Online tutorials: Getting Started with TeX, LaTeX, TeX FAQ, A not so short introduction to LaTeX, A beginner's introduction to typesetting with LaTeX
• TeX Users Group

Please send comments and corrections to Harvey Gould, hgould@clarku.edu.