What is the difference between LaTeX and LyX? As I understand it, either is superior to a word processor if one is writing academic papers or books. Is that right? Any information would be welcome. dj tuchler
* Dennis Tuchler (dtuchler@earthlink.net) [020328 12:15]:
What is the difference between LaTeX and LyX? As I understand it, either is superior to a word processor if one is writing academic papers or books. Is that right?
Lyx is a GUI for LaTeX which is set of macros built on TeX. There's a nice history of TeX here: http://www.tug.org/whatis.html -- -ckm
Dennis Tuchler wrote:
What is the difference between LaTeX and LyX? As I understand it, either is superior to a word processor if one is writing academic papers or books. Is that right?
Any information would be welcome.
LaTeX is a text formatter. You type a text file with markup in it. For example, to emphasise text you could use \texbf{emphasis}. It is older than SGML and not as well thought out, but has better support for typing scientific documents than SGML or any word processor. Many academic publishers (for example Elsevier science) ask for LaTeX files for papers that are to be published. LyX is a word processor that uses a modified version of LaTeX underneath. Some people prefer it because it is wysiwyg, but I don't think it yet supports everything you can do in LaTeX. LyX files aren't quite the same as LaTeX and so publishers might have more difficulty with them. Thompson were at one time distributing commercially a LyX-like package called Scientific Word. There was even a version that worked with maple. If you want to use LaTeX, you'll probably need a manual. LaTeX: A document preparation system, Leslie lamport, Addison Wesley, 1985 or The LaTeX companion, Goosens, Mittelbach and Samarin, Addison Wesley, 1993 are the ones to get. Sadly there isn't a free LaTeX manual yet, though it's on the GNU wish list. JDL
LaTeX is a markup language with layout defaults for scientific publications. Markup language means that you can use any text editor, but you have to to insert command in your text, e.g. \section{Headline} does the following: - it inserts some vertical space - it counts and writes the actual section number in a certain font - it writes 'Headline' behind the section number in the same font - it inserts the headline in a contents list (which you may print or not) - it inserts some vertical space - it switches back to the normal font. This ensures that even a longer text (book) has the same layout from the beginning to the end. Disadvantages: 1. You have to learn it. 2. Even then it is somewhat difficult to define an individual layout. Advantages: 1. Perfect within its scope (Scientific publications) 2. Best program available for typesetting of mathematical formulae 3. Easy integration of text and graphics. The last point is due to the fact that Linux programs transform graphics into Postscript for printing and allow you to print into a file. ps files generated this way can easily be scaled, rotated and included in LaTeX documents. Example: For an electronics project I write the description/specifications with Latex, define the circuit with Eagle, print it to a file and include it in the LateX document. Then I simulate the circuit with Spice, generate a plotfile of the curves and include them into the LaTeX document. With Lyx you dont't need to learn the LaTeX commands, but use menu commands for insteadJ. It just won't let you do anything you want, because it is committed to the same quality level as LaTeX. It can generate LaTeX source text from the text you wrote. ------------------------------------------------- Frank Hrebabetzky Tel./Fax: +55 / 48 / 235 1106 Florianopolis email: frankh@terra.com.br Brazil On Thu, 28 Mar 2002, Dennis Tuchler wrote:
What is the difference between LaTeX and LyX? As I understand it, either is superior to a word processor if one is writing academic papers or books. Is that right?
Any information would be welcome.
dj tuchler
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participants (4)
-
Christopher Mahmood -
Dennis Tuchler -
frankh＠terra.com.br -
John Lamb