Introduction to AUCTeX ********************** This section of the AUCTeX manual gives a brief overview of what AUCTeX is, and the section is also available as a `README' file. It is *not* an attempt to document AUCTeX. Real documentation for AUCTeX is available in the rest of the manual, which you can find in the `doc' directory. Read the `INSTALL' or `INSTALL.windows' file respectively for information about how to install AUCTeX. The files comprise the same information as the Installation chapter in the AUCTeX manual. If you are upgrading from the previous version of AUCTeX, the latest changes can be found in the `CHANGES' file. If you are upgrading from an older version, read the History chapter in the AUCTeX manual. AUCTeX is a comprehensive customizable integrated environment for writing input files for TeX/LaTeX/ConTeXt using GNU Emacs. AUCTeX lets you run TeX/LaTeX/ConTeXt and LaTeX/ConTeXt-related tools, such as a output filters or post processor from inside Emacs. Especially `running LaTeX' is interesting, as AUCTeX lets you browse through the errors TeX reported, while it moves the cursor directly to the reported error, and displays some documentation for that particular error. This will even work when the document is spread over several files. AUCTeX automatically indents your `LaTeX-source', not only as you write it -- you can also let it indent and format an entire document. It has a special outline feature, which can greatly help you `getting an overview' of a document. Apart from these special features, AUCTeX provides a large range of handy Emacs macros, which in several different ways can help you write your LaTeX/ConTeXt documents fast and painlessly. All features of AUCTeX are documented using the GNU Emacs online documentation system. That is, documentation for any command is just a key click away! AUCTeX is written entirely in Emacs-Lisp, and hence you can easily add new features for your own needs. It was not made as part of any particular employment or project (apart from the AUCTeX project itself). AUCTeX is distributed under the `GNU Emacs General Public License' and may therefore almost freely be copied and redistributed. The next sections are a short introduction to some `actual' features. For further information, refer to the built-in online documentation of AUCTeX. Indentation and filling ======================= AUCTeX may automatically indent your document as you write it. By pressing instead of at the end of a line, the current line is indented by two spaces according to the current environment level, and the cursor is moved down one line. By pressing , the current line is indented, and the cursor stays where it is. The well-known Emacs feature `fill-paragraph' (`M-q') is reimplemented especially for AUCTeX to follow the indentation (even in commented parts of the document). A special command `LaTeX-fill-buffer' lets you indent an entire document like the well-known C utility indent (this time, only according to the LaTeX structure :-). Completion ========== By studying your `\documentclass' command (in the top of your document), and consulting a precompiled list of (La)TeX symbols from a large number of TeX and LaTeX files, AUCTeX is aware of the LaTeX commands you should be able to use in this particular document. This `knowledge' of AUCTeX is used for two purposes. 1. To make you able to `complete' partly written LaTeX commands. You may e.g. write `\renew' and press `M-' (`TeX-complete-symbol'), and then AUCTeX will complete the word `\renewcommand' for you. In case of ambiguity it will display a list of possible completions. 2. To aid you inserting environments, that is \begin - \end pairs. This is done by pressing C-c C-e (LaTeX-environment), and you will be prompted for which `environment' to insert. Editing your document ===================== A number of more or less intelligent keyboard macros have been defined to aid you editing your document. The most important are listed below. `LaTeX-environment' (`C-c C-e') Insert a `\begin{}' -- `\end{}' pair as described above. `LaTeX-section' (`C-c C-s') Insert one of `\chapter', `\section', etc. `TeX-font' (`C-c C-f C-r', `C-c C-f C-i', `C-c C-f C-b') Insert one of `\textrm{ }'), `\textit{ \/}' `\textbf{ }' etc. A number of additional functions are available. But it would be far too much to write about here. Refer to the rest of the AUCTeX documentation for further information. Running LaTeX ============= When invoking one of the commands `TeX-command-master' (`C-c C-c') or `TeX-command-region' (`C-c C-r') LaTeX is run on either the entire current document or a given region of it. The Emacs view is split in two, and the output of TeX is printed in the second half of the screen, as you may simultaneously continue editing your document. In case TeX finds any errors when processing your input you can call the function `TeX-next-error' (`C-c `') which will move the cursor to the first given error, and display a short explanatory text along with the message TeX gave. This procedure may be repeated until all errors have been displayed. By pressing `C-c C-w' (`TeX-toggle-debug-boxes') you can toggle whether the browser also should notify over-full/under-full boxes or not. Once you've successfully formatted your document, you may preview or print it by invoking `TeX-command-master' again. Outlines ======== Along with AUCTeX comes support for outline mode for Emacs, which lets you browse the sectioning structure of your document, while you will still be able to use the full power of the rest of the AUCTeX functionality. Availability ============ The most recent version is always available at WWW users may want to check out the AUCTeX page at Contacts ======== There has been established a mailing list for help, bug reports, feature requests and general discussion about AUCTeX. You're very welcome to join. Traffic average at an article by day, but they come in bursts. If you are only interested in information on updates, you could refer to the newsgroups `comp.text.tex' and `gnu.emacs.sources'. If you want to contact the AUCTeX mailing list, send mail to in order to join. Articles should be sent to . To contact the current maintainers of AUCTeX directly, email .