Documenting Tools: LaTeX

An introduction to LaTeX by Dr. Yi-Xin Liu at Fudan University (lyx@fudan.edu.cn).

This is a part of the course: Road to Scientific Research: Powerful Computer Applications (XDSY118019.01).

Lecture date: 2023.11.02

What is LaTeX?

LaTeX, which is pronounced /Lah-tech/ or /Lay-tech/, is a high-quality typesetting system; it includes features designed for the production of technical and scientific documentation.

  • LaTeX is the de facto standard for the communication and publication of scientific documents.
  • LaTeX is available as free software.
  • LaTeX file ends with extension .tex.

LaTeX Features

  • Typesetting journal articles, technical reports, books, and slide presentations.
  • Control over large documents containing sectioning, cross-references, tables and figures.
  • Typesetting of complex mathematical formulas.
  • Advanced typesetting of mathematics with AMS-LaTeX.
  • Automatic generation of bibliographies and indexes.
  • Multi-lingual typesetting.
  • Inclusion of artwork, and process or spot color.
  • Using PostScript or Metafont fonts.

Getting started with LaTeX

Other videos in this Youtube playlist for LaTeX tutorials are highly recommended.

Demo and exercises of LaTeX

  • Go to Overleaf and create an account.
  • Follow the demonstration:

In fact, LaTeX can be edited in any editors. You can use VS Code + LaTeX extensions to do the job. Do not forget to install a suitable LaTeX distribution for your OS though.