web2c: TeX
5 TeX: Typesetting
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TeX is a typesetting system: it was especially designed to handle
complex mathematics, as well as most ordinary text typesetting.
TeX is a batch language, like C or Pascal, and not an interactive
"word processor": you compile a TeX input file into a corresponding
device-independent (DVI) file (and then translate the DVI file to the
commands for a particular output device). This approach has both
considerable disadvantages and considerable advantages. For a complete
description of the TeX language, see 'The TeXbook' (⇒References).
Many other books on TeX, introductory and otherwise, are available.
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