Getting started with \(\LaTeX \)
\(\LaTeX\) (usually typed out as LaTeX) is a free and open-source markup language used in Mathematics and Statistics (as well as other disciplines) and was developed to simplify the creation of well-formatted documents with mathematical notation.
Using LaTeX requires a text editor to create a .tex file and a \(\TeX\) distribution to compile the .tex into a formatted document. (TeX is another typesetting system that forms the basis for LaTeX.)
TeX distributions
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MiKTeX This link opens in a new windowA cross-platform TeX distribution, available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
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MacTeX This link opens in a new windowA TeX distribution specifically for machines running on Mac OS.
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TeX Live This link opens in a new windowA cross-platform TeX distribution for Windows and Unix/GNU/Linux.
Text editors
There are many freely-available text editors available. A few specific suggestions are provided below, along with a link to a more extensive list:
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TeXworks This link opens in a new windowTeXworks is a cross-platform LaTeX editor included in MiKTeX and TeX Live. If you've installed either of those TeX distributions, you should already have TeXworks.
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Texmaker This link opens in a new windowA cross-platform LaTeX editor which includes a document preview feature.
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Notepad++ This link opens in a new windowNot LaTeX-specific, but a good open-source text editor which includes visual formatting for .tex files.
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Sublime Text This link opens in a new windowSublime Text is a great all-purpose text editor which includes visual formatting for .tex files, but continued use requires purchasing a license.
Cloud-based LaTeX:
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Overleaf This link opens in a new windowA cloud-based LaTeX editor and compiler which allows for collaboration. Provides a free-to-use tier, with some functionality reserved for paid accounts.
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Authorea This link opens in a new windowAuthorea is a cloud-based platform for collaborative academic writing which includes LaTeX as an option. A free membership with limited functionality is available.