latex
TLDR
Compile LaTeX document
$ latex [document.tex]
Compile to PDF directly$ pdflatex [document.tex]
Compile with XeLaTeX$ xelatex [document.tex]
Compile with LuaLaTeX$ lualatex [document.tex]
Continuous compilation$ latexmk -pvc [document.tex]
Clean auxiliary files$ latexmk -c
SYNOPSIS
latex [options] file
pdflatex [options] file
DESCRIPTION
LaTeX is a document preparation system for high-quality typesetting. It's the standard for scientific papers, theses, and technical documentation.
Common engines: pdflatex (traditional), xelatex (Unicode/modern fonts), lualatex (Lua scripting). Most documents use pdflatex or lualatex.
PARAMETERS
-interaction mode
Interaction mode: nonstopmode, batchmode.-output-directory dir
Output directory.-shell-escape
Enable shell commands.-synctex n
Generate SyncTeX data.-halt-on-error
Stop on first error.
DOCUMENT STRUCTURE
$ \documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\title{My Document}
\author{Author Name}
\begin{document}
\maketitle
\section{Introduction}
Content here.
\end{document}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\title{My Document}
\author{Author Name}
\begin{document}
\maketitle
\section{Introduction}
Content here.
\end{document}
CAVEATS
Multiple compilations often needed for references. Bibliography requires bibtex/biber run. Use latexmk for automation.
HISTORY
LaTeX was created by Leslie Lamport in the 1980s as a set of macros for TeX (created by Donald Knuth in 1978). It remains the standard for academic publishing.
