Quick Introduction to LaTeX

The core of LaTeX is a backend software package that complies the LaTeX code (.tex file) and creates the final document (PDF).  There are a few different programs available to do this depending on the operating system of the user.   The LaTeX Project provides information about how to install LaTeX on Windows, Macs, and Linux, as well as online services.  Instruction on how to install the most common LaTeX programs for Windows and Mac can be found in the "Installation for Windows" and "Installation for Mac OS X" sections below.

Aside from the back end software required to run LaTeX it is highly recommend that users install a text editor.  A text editor is a frontend software that can be used to create .tex file used by the compiler.  Text editor programs such as TeXwork, TexStudio, TexMaker, and TexShop provide a friendly interface for users.  Often these front end programs include help menus, wizards for creating LaTeX objects, drop down menus for inserting symbols or altering text, and many other features that will support both new and experienced LaTeX users.  You will find more information about these frontend programs in the "LaTeX Interfaces" box below.

For a Windows computer it is strongly recommend that you use the common MiKTeX editor.  The MiKTeX/about page contains several links including how to install, deploy, and update MiKTeX.  A basic set of installation instruction can be found below, but if you are having trouble be sure to check the MiKTeX page (click the previous install hyperlink):

1. Download MiKTeX
2. After the download is complete run the installer.  During the installation you will be prompted to select the paper size.  It is recommend that you choose letter (this can be changed later if needed).
3. Once the installation is complete, it is recommend that you check for any updates.  The update wizard can be found through the Windows start menu.  Following the steps provided by the update wizard should be simple, but if you are having trouble, instructions can be found by clicking the update hyperlink above.
4. With everything installed and updated the last step is to try typesetting.  MiKTeX comes with a front end text editor built in calledTexWork.  To open TeXwork go to Start > All Programs > MiKTeX > TeXwork.

At this point you may want to play around and try typesetting your own document.  For your first document you should go to the Creating a Document tab.  Once you have gone through that if you are looking for some additional ideas or exercises go to the Exercises tab.

For Mac OS X it is strongly recommended that you use MacTeX.  Information can be found on their main page. Click the link "download MacTeX". If you are having trouble locating the download package, then go directly to the MacTeX download page.  Follow the instruction on that page or the simple instructions listed below:

1.  Click on "MacTex.pkg" near the top of the page to begin the download.
2.  One the download is complete open the package and following along the installation wizard.
3.  The "MacTex.pkg" contains several different programs and documents.  If you did not change the path during installation these items should appear in a folder with the following location Application/TeX.
4. The two most important items contained in the TeX folder are TeX Live Utility a program that you can use to update MacTeX, and TeXShop a front end text editor.  Please run Tex Live Utility before getting started to check for updates.

Now you may want to play around and try typesetting your own document, to do this open TeXShop.  For your first document you should go to the Creating a Document tab.  Once you have gone through that if you are looking for some additional ideas or exercises go to the Exercises tab. When starting a new document in TeXShop you may want to begin by going to File > New from Stationary > AMS-Article this will open a text editor with a standard template for creating an article. There are several different templates available. 

For instructions on how to download LaTeX for Linux visit the The LaTeX project website or download Tex Live

The LaTeX project also has links for different online platforms that can be used to edit, view, and download .tex and PDF files.

Overleaf: You can sign up for a free account.  Premium accounts, with a monthly cost, also exist with extended features.

CoCalc: You can sign up for a free account.  Premium accounts, with a monthly cost, also exist with extended features.

As mentioned before, the use of a front end text editor program is strongly encouraged.  These programs help to increase the readability of LaTeX code during the editing process.  Many of these programs contain wizards that can speed up the creation of certain LaTeX objects such as tables.  They have overlays when using commands to provide information and to make sure the inputs are formatted properly, and they often have toolbars that simplify the use of certain common commands and symbols.  Both the MiKTeX and MacTeX downloads discussed above include a text editor, but you may want to look around to find the one you like best.  TexStudio is a popular text editor ro take a look at this comparison of TeX editors.    

To illustrate how powerful a good text editor can be, look at the two codes below.  The first is written in notepad, for the new user it can be very difficult to follow this code and equally difficult to edit.  The second image is the same code written in TexStudio.  In TexStudio the code is automatically color coded. The color coding makes it much easier to tell the difference between comments, equations, text, commands, and other LaTeX structures.

Notepad

TexStudio