LaTeX document preparation system

LaTeX (pronounced «Lah-tech» or «Lay-tech») is a high-quality typesetting system; it includes features designed for the production of technical and scientific documentation.

Overleaf is an online LaTeX editor. It requires no installation, allows real-time collaboration, has version control, has hundreds of LaTeX templates, and more.

You will need a LaTeX editor for this workshop, and we will be using Overleaf.

For working with LaTeX outside of this workshop, there are several options available. Alternatively, you can install LaTeX on your local computer (see sections for MiKTeX and TeX Live).

To sign up for Overleaf:

1. Open your browser and go to www.overleaf.com.
2. If you don't already have an account, click "Register" (top right of the page) and provide your email and a password.
3. If you already have an account, click "Log In" and enter your email and password.
4. Click the green "New Project" button.
5. Choose "Blank Project" and give your project a name.

LaTeX is a powerful typesetting system ideal for producing high-quality, professionally formatted documents. It excels at handling complex structures like mathematical equations, bibliographies, and references with ease. LaTeX ensures consistent formatting and provides extensive customization options, making it the preferred choice for academic, scientific, and technical writing. Its robust features and support for large documents make it indispensable for creating theses, research papers, and technical reports.

LaTeX offers a wide range of capabilities, making it a versatile tool for various types of document preparation:

• Professional Typesetting: Create documents with high-quality typography, including books, articles, reports, and presentations.
• Mathematical Formulas: Typeset complex mathematical equations and symbols with precision and ease.
• References and Citations: Manage bibliographies and references efficiently, with automatic formatting and cross-referencing.
• Customizable Layouts: Design custom layouts and styles to suit specific document requirements.
• Tables and Figures: Incorporate and format tables, figures, and graphics seamlessly.
• Automated Formatting: Ensure consistent formatting across large documents, reducing the need for manual adjustments.
• Multilingual Support: Write documents in multiple languages, including those with non-Latin scripts.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with others using version control systems, facilitating teamwork on large projects.

There are three general steps to making a document using LaTeX:

1. Downloading and installing a TeX distribution (and editor) or using an online TeX editor (we are going to use Overleaf)
2. Writing a .tex file using a text or LaTeX editing program
3. Compiling the file into a readable document

Getting the most out of LaTeX will also require the installation of LaTeX packages.