September 23, 2002
TeX: A free text-processing tool
THIS WEEK, we will explore the features and tools of a text-processing system called TeX (pronounced `tech', and derived from the Greek letters "tau", "epsilon" and "chi"), which is considered a viable alternative to word-processing systems for composing and typesetting documents, especially of a technical nature.
Document preparation, involving various stages like text entry, formatting and editing, is an essential requirement for most of us. Though popular word processors like MS Word and WordPerfect provide all the essential tools in an integrated, user-friendly, graphical interface, they fail miserably while dealing with large, complex documents. Anybody who has ever attempted to use one of these packages to prepare a document heavily loaded with mathematical equations and graphics will attest to this fact.
Document preparation, involving various stages like text entry, formatting and editing, is an essential requirement for most of us. Though popular word processors like MS Word and WordPerfect provide all the essential tools in an integrated, user-friendly, graphical interface, they fail miserably while dealing with large, complex documents. Anybody who has ever attempted to use one of these packages to prepare a document heavily loaded with mathematical equations and graphics will attest to this fact.
