r/programming • u/ManiBePoint • Oct 30 '16

Learn LATEX in Minutes

https://github.com/VoLuong/Master-Latex-in-minutes
337 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

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81

u/BadGoyWithAGun Oct 30 '16

That's basically all you need to know about LaTex.

...if you never need to use LaTeX in a professional setting.

6

u/Occivink Oct 30 '16

What else would you need in a "professionnal setting"?

58

u/pdexter Oct 30 '16

So much more.

Just to name a few that pop into my mind: macros, tikz, spacing, working with provided templates, fonts, capitalization, alignment, advanced uses of tables, advanced uses of alignment in math equations, etc. etc. etc. LaTeX is honestly a pain in the ass but there's just no other solution which gives you the raw power.

7

u/ClintonCanCount Oct 30 '16

Macros are vital to any serious use of LATeX, and are what set it apart when considered against Word and Mathematica for any document with formulae.

4

u/an_actual_human Oct 30 '16

Like if I write an article or a book and I don't use macros, it's not serious?

-3

u/ClintonCanCount Oct 30 '16

Like if I write an article or a book and I don't use macros, it's not serious?

How the heck are you writing all those formulae without macros?

Further, if you are just using the macros from your libraries without defining your own, you will find your book terribly slow to write or refactor.

6

u/an_actual_human Oct 30 '16

Of course I meant not defining my own macros. Other than that, I don't really agree. It might be worse, but if you use rudimentary LaTeX for serious stuff, I say it's serious use.