## Session 7: Intro to LaTeX ## Clean Python code/log.txt file :eyes: ###### tags: `CS Projects Class` --- # What is LaTeX? - A scientific document typesetting system. - Mathematical notation, research poster, research paper, all kinds of documents - including sheet music. --- ## LaTeX vs. Word processor (ex: Microsoft Word) LaTeX | Word processor | :---------:|:---------:| Maybe more like a programming language | Type in text using formatting styles provided by the program itself | --- - In LaTeX, you type in the content into a text editor and then insert commands into the text that will control the appearance of the output. - These documents that contain the source code all end in the file extension *.tex*. - Once the text document is created, you then compile the source code using the LaTeX system that is seperate from the text editor used to edit your content. - If compiled successfully, LaTeX produces a *.pdf* that contains the finished product. --- ## Advantages - Small files (the source code is small because they just contain text and no seperate formatting) - Cross-platform compatibility (can be shared and used across multiple platforms with no compatibility issues) - Essay to make templates - FREE :smile: --- ## Installing LaTeX - So you will need 2 *pieces* of software: - MiKTeX, which is the back-end for compiling the document. - TEXMAKER, which is the front-end where you actually would edit and mark up your LaTeX before you compile it. - There are many other options, but it is up to you to decide what to use. - Remember to install MiKTeX for ***ALL USER*** if you don't want any tricky bug. --- After installation, copy a sample LaTeX document from [here](http://mally.stanford.edu/~sr/computing/latex-example.html) and create a new document in TeXMaker. --- Installing necessary packages. If you installed it once, you don't need to reinstall it again. --- For now, if you don't want any complex installation, check out [Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/) --- Courses on LaTeX: - --- $x^2+2x+3$