- To compile LaTeX from within the editor, one may choose from a number of packages: latex, latex-plus, and latextools. The last one is an ongoing port of Sublime Text's LaTeXTools plugin and seems to be the most feature-rich of the three (as of 2016-03-20), with additional goodies like reference and bibliography completion as well as environment.
- Write beautiful math equations & symbols easily in MathMagic, use them widely in your word processors, Presentations, DTP software. MathMagic is a WYSIWYG math editor with Graphic user interface, with support for MathML, LaTeX, MS Equation Editor, and more.
- TexMaker is a latex editor for Windows, Mac and Linux and is an easy-to-use editor that supports features like spell checking, auto-completion, “code-folding,” a PDF-viewing mode, and has a.
We all use text editors to take notes, save web addresses, write code, as well as other uses. Every operating system comes with a default, basic text editor, but most of us install our own enhanced text editors to get more features.
There's a recent addition called Texpad available in the Mac App Store. Simple, streamlined and well-integrated with OS X. Texpad is a LaTeX editor designed for straightforward navigation of projects of any size.
In this article, we’ve gathered links to many different text editors used for different purposes. You can use text editors for basic text editing and taking notes, writing programming code, producing LaTeX documents, writing a book, among many other uses.
Notepad and WordPad Replacements
Are you looking for more capabilities than the default Notepad in Windows? Would you rather use a graphical text editor in Linux, rather than the built-in vi? There are many options for useful text editors out there.
Some employ a tabbed interface, such as Jarte (which is based on the WordPad word processing engine and integrates easily with WordWeb), EditPad Lite (which also has the automatic backup), and Notetab Light (which can also calculate the value of mathematical expressions entered in the program). Jarte, EditPad Lite, and Notetab Light are all only available for Windows. Jarte is also available as a portable program.
Typically, Vi is the default text editor in Linux operating systems and it’s a keyboard intensive program with no graphical user interface (GUI). A good text editor for Windows that has hotkeys available for its 312 text-processing functions, innovative features, and timesaving tools is TED Notepad, which is also available as a portable program. Emacs is also available for both Windows and Linux, and is customizable. It also includes a file compare utility and a file manager. You can also add Org-mode to Emacs, which is a personal information management and outlining tool. If you prefer text editors with GUIs, Vim and gEdit are both good options and are available. Vim is essentially the graphical version of Vi. For help editing text files in Vi or Vim, see our Beginner’s Guide.
GetDiz is a Notepad replacement for Windows that allows you to edit many text files quickly from within Windows Explorer and has enhanced functionality for dealing with DIZ and NFO files. It can also display ASCII art correctly. Another ASCII text formatter for Windows is TextMorph, which can also convert text to and from HTML and clean up emails (remove all the “>” symbols, etc.), and search and replace by words or multiple paragraphs.
Programmer’s Text Editors
There are many text editors that provide useful functionality for programmers. Most support syntax highlighting for many programming languages, multiple document editing, and are extendable with plugins. Some also allow editing of remote files through FTP.
PSPad not only supports syntax highlighting, but also matching bracket highlighting for most popular programming languages. It also has a hex editor, macro recorder, and a differencing tool. PSPad also easily integrates with the free version of the TopStyle CSS editor. Notepad++ also supports bracket highlighting and macro recording. It also supports syntax folding and is highly customizable through plugins using the included plugin manager. Both PSPad and Notepad++ are only available for Windows.
The cross-platform (Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X) editor, jEdit, supports syntax highlighting for over 200 programming languages and auto indent, as well as a differencing utility, an FTP browser, and block selecting. It is also extendable using plugins and macros, and there are hundreds of plugins and macros available through the built-in plugin manager feature.
Programmer’s Notepad for Windows supports syntax highlighting using schemes, both built-in and user-defined, code folding and outlining, a tabbed interface with multi-level split views, and the ability to export to HTML (using CSS) and RTF.
If you like the Vi editor in Linux, but prefer a graphical editor that also serves well as a programmer’s text editor, Editra and Komodo Edit are good options. They both provide Vi emulation, as well as support for syntax highlighting in many programming languages and code folding. Editra has a tabbed interface, allows block (un)commenting and (un)indenting, and is extendable using the built-in plugin downloader/installer. Komodo Edit supports background syntax checking and contains a toolbox with shell command integration, macros, and code snippets. Both Editra and Komodo Edit are available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.
Other options include the following:
- Crimson Editor – A very small editor for Windows containing a directory tree view window
- Geany – A small and fast IDE for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X that supports code folding, code navigation, a build system, and a plugin interface
- Notepad2 – A fast, light-weight text editor like Notepad for Windows with syntax highlighting and runs as a portable program
Microsoft Word Replacements
There are also free programs that act as replacements for Microsoft Word. They can be used as text editors, but they have more formatting features than simple text editors. You can add images and tables, change fonts and color, and insert hyperlinks.
AbiWord runs on Windows and Linux and can read and write OpenOffice.org documents, Microsoft Word documents, WordPerfect documents, Rich Text Format documents, and HTML web pages. It has advanced document layout options such as tables, bullets, numbered lists, images, styles, footnotes, and endnotes. It even has a Mail Merge utility like Microsoft Word. You can extend AbiWord with a variety of plugins, which can be selected when you install AbiWord. A portable version is also available that you can run from a USB flash drive.
Angel Writer is a small rich text editor for Windows with a high performance rate that allows you to easily create impressive documents.
Minimalist Text Editors
If you get distracted when you write by the plethora of features in text editors and word processors, you might want to try one of the so-called “minimalist” text editors out there. They are “no-frills” editors that either don’t offer any formatting features or many of the other features of modern word processors, and even third-party text editors, or the features are hidden until you want them. Without all the fancy features staring you in the face, you can concentrate on the task of writing. Below is a list of some of the minimalist text editors we found.
- Dark Room– Available for Windows, requires .NET Framework 2.0, and is available as a portable program.
- JDarkRoom– Available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X
- Q10– Available for Windows and as a portable program
- CopyWriter– Available for Windows and as a portable program
- WriteMonkey– Available for Windows and as a portable program
- Bookwrite– Available for Windows and Linux
- Scribes– Available for Linux
- FocusWriter – Available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X, and as a portable program for Windows
You can even download Word 5.5 from Microsoft for free and run it under DOSBox in Windows.
If you want a simple text editor with the ability to count down from a set word count, try yEdit2 for Windows. If you have to write a certain number of words, yEdit2 can make it easier.
Secure Text Editors
You can also use a text editor as secure place to store private information. There are several text editors that either include encryption as a feature or are specially designed for securely storing text. Notepad++, mentioned in the Programmer’s Text Editors section above, allows you to add encryption functionality using the SecurePad plugin, which is available through the Plugin Manager. SecurePad will encrypt selected text in the current document or the whole document.
Steganos LockNote is a small, simple method for securely storing chunks of information in files. For example, if you purchase a download-only program, you can use LockNote to store the product key or serial number that goes with that program in the same folder, so you always know where to find it.
- CryptNote – Available for Windows and as a portable program
- CryptoTE– Available for Windows and Linux, and as a portable program for Windows
- NotepadCrypt– Available for Windows as a portable program
- Xint– Available for Windows
- f0dder’s fSekrit – Available for Windows and as a portable program
LaTeX Editors
Do you write a lot of scientific papers, documents, or books? If so, there are several text editors that allow you to easily use TeX/LaTeX (document markup language and document preparation system) through a graphical interface to create mathematical content and structured documents like academic articles, theses, and books.
- LaTeX Editor (LEd)– Available for Windows and as a portable program
- LyX– Available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X
- WinEdt– Available for Windows
- TeXstudio– Available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X and as a portable program on Windows and Mac OS X
- Texmaker – Available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X
Novel Writing Editor
There’s even an editor that’s meant for writing novels, called yWriter5, available for Windows and Linux. It breaks your novel into chapters and scenes, helping you to keep track of your work. However, yWriter5 does not suggest plot ideas, character names, or write any part of your novel for you. The creative task of writing is still up to you, yWriter5 just makes it easier.
One more text editor to mention is Nano in Linux, which is an easy-to-use text editor you run directly on the command line. Nano is installed by default in Ubuntu and many other Linux distros, and is easier to learn than Vi or emacs.
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Ask the average engineer about LaTeX and blank stares might be the probable response you get. Although the LaTeX is a document preparation system originally built in the 80’s by Leslie Lamport for use in the scientific, mathematics and engineering field, its popularity in these fields is still limited. Therefore, this article will be shedding some light on LaTex, LaTeX editors and its similarities/contrasting features with Microsoft Word.
What is LaTeX?
Lamport TeX also fondly known as LaTeX, is a document preparation system that allows the writer make use of plain text and markups to highlight or make stylized changes to the entire document. A text distribution such as MikTeX or TeX Live is still used to produce an output file such as DVI or PDF which are suitable for digital reproduction.
It is important to note that LaTeX provides the user with more writing flexibility due to the fact that it harnesses the power of TeX which handles its layout responsibilities while LaTeX handles the content side for document processing.
Best LaTeX Editor recap
Editor | OS | License |
TeXmaker | Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android | Freeware |
TeXstudio | Windows, MacOS, Unix-like | GNU, GPL |
TeXworks | Windows, Linux, MacOS | GPL |
TeXShop | MacOS | GNU, GPL |
Vim with LaTeX-Suite | VIM ecosystem | |
Authorea | web-based LaTeX editor |
What is LaTeX used for?
LaTex is a typesetting system and it uses source code to generate a document. As stated earlier, with LaTeX you can edit a file and then typeset it to generate a specified output which can be PDF. In the academic and scientific community, LaTeX is generally the typing document of choice this is due to the fact that it can be used to produce a high-level or professional typesetting and structure than the average ‘what you see is what you get’ word document such as Microsoft or Libre Word.
It generally allows the user focus primarily on typing or content without having to bother about the layout. While the LaTeX software takes care of structuring and page formatting. Now, an understanding of what LaTeX is and what it has to offer generally leads to the question; what are the differences between it and the average Microsoft Word Document. This I will answer in the next paragraphs.
Comparing LaTeX vs. Microsoft Word
To actively compare both document preparation systems, it is important to provide criteria that direct the comparisons. These criteria will include the following;
- Kerning—the process of selectively adjusting spacing between word
- Capitalization—the ability to create small capital letters in different format
- Intuitive Ligatures use—the use of ligatures and how a system integrates this
- Glyph Variants—having a selection of varying glyph fonts
- Line breaks and Hyphenation—how a preparation system supports document readability
- Getting Expert Fonts
Now using the following criteria to discuss the differences between LaTeX and Microsoft Word we have:
- Kerning: this is a process that involves selectively adjusting the space between letter pairs—VA, PA, AY etc.—these series of letters must be adjusted accordingly to bring out the right appearance. Using the average WYSIWYG document system—Microsoft—adjusting kerning to fit into a particular aesthetic arrangement is impossible but when using a LaTeX system, you have the privilege of arranging series of letters according to the aesthetic alignment you prefer. Below, you can see the difference in how these words are kerned. Writing ‘Table with Ms Word leaves a subtle space b default between ‘T and a’ while using LaTeX, the proper spacing between both letters is maintained.
- Capitalization: when writing capital letters using the double capitalization method—which consist of a larger capital letter and same capital letter in a smaller form (AA), the average WYSIWYG system simply creates a fake small capital letter by playing with font size. LaTeX, on the other hand, goes all out to ensure that different set of glyphs are used. A LaTeX system ensures that the smaller capital letter is distinct which can be noticed from the heavier touch and visual compatibility they share with the larger character.
- Intuitive Ligatures: A good typesetting program is one that has the ability to intuitively apply contextual intelligence and substitutions when and where ligatures are needed. The image below shows how Microsoft Word misses the mark when it comes to understanding common ligature while the other image showcases the correct use of ligatures when typesetting with LaTeX.
Also, when writing ancient words still in use today, MS Word simply allows you itemize these words using italics but LaTex provides you with actual ancient ligatures for them. The picture below showcases these examples.
- Glyph Variants: expert fonts are generally made up of variants such as alternate shapes or alphabetic characters mixed with numbers. While some LaTeX document system allows you to intuitively write words using different font variants, the average WYSIWYG system does not support glyph variants.
- Line Breaks and Hyphenation—a document’s overall readability is not determined by the typefaces or fonts used but by the accurate distribution of characters and spaces per line. To get this done, the average WYSIWYG processors use un-intuitive justification and hyphenation to make words more readable. On the other hand, a LaTeX processor makes use of advanced algorithms to determine the justifications, line breaks, spacing and hyphenating a sentence needs. This drastically improves the quality and readability of word documents. This makes the entire document look good and further developments have enabled LaTeX engines to stick certain characters into its margin which creates better or optically lined margins.
![Latex Editor Best For Mac Latex Editor Best For Mac](/uploads/1/2/6/0/126063273/858422787.png)
- Getting Expert Fonts—LaTeX provides much better expert fonts than those produced by the normal WYSIWYG document system. This is due to the multitude of fonts available for selection by the user. Although Microsoft Words does not come close to the number of expert fonts available at both ends, Mac OS can compete to a certain level with LaTeX. Users of the LaTeX system can also download thousands of font types from various online sources to augment the default fonts in the LaTeX ecosystem.
Here, we find the major differences between the LaTeX documenting system and that of Microsoft Word. The next step for those who believe LaTeX offers a better option for documentation is getting a good LaTeX editor to work with. Below are some of the best documents you can use for typesetting.
The Top 5 best LaTeX Editors Engineers and Engineering Students Should Use
![Latex Editor Best For Mac Latex Editor Best For Mac](/uploads/1/2/6/0/126063273/422930388.png)
TeXmaker
TeXmaker makes this list due to its popularity as an open-source, multi-platform solution for LaTeX editing. The editor comes with an easy to use interface which requires that the user set-up all the basic settings of their LaTeX document before actually beginning to work with it. TeXmaker also provides the user with the necessary features to carry out spell-checks and other layout details using the ‘Quick start’ window. The structure view also serves the important task of allowing users streamline documents using separate sections while labeling each section during the process.
On completing the groundwork for the document layout and imputing the text, the next step is compiling and getting the document out in PDF, HTML or ODF format. The TeXmaker is also designed to allow the user track errors during the compilation stage and it takes the step of actively displaying these errors so you can edit as you choose. The TeXmaker was developed to run on every platform or operating system out there. Therefore, you can use this tool with Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.
TeXstudio
Here we have another extensive open-source and multi-platform LaTeX editor which has made some positive in-roads in the academic world. The TeXstudio is basically an advanced version of the TeXmaker due to the fact that it includes features such as ‘Document Word count, frequency count analysis etc.
The features that make this LaTeX editor stand out are; syntax highlighting for sentence correction, reference check to simplify finding references and an inclusion of approximately 1500 mathematical formulae. The average engineer or engineering student can see why this system is more useful than WYSIWYG documentation.
The ability to add formulae with ease makes it a standout text processing unit. TeXstudio also supports the integration of images and table—which are auto formatted—making it a more advanced version of TeXstudio. Users can also export completed work to PDF and HTML like most LaTeX editors. TeXstudio is supported by the major operating systems used by students worldwide. Therefore, you can use it on your Windows, Linux or Apple powered computers.
TeXworks
TeXworks which is an off-shoot of TeXshops, is an open-source LaTeX editor that provides a GUI-based approach to editing and it comes with a lot of the features listed in the previous two. The TeXworks main features include auto-completion and auto-correction support which simplifies the task of LaTeX editing. This editor is liked by students due to its minimalistic yet comprehensive approach to LaTeX editing.
TeXworks which is an off-shoot of TeXshops, is an open-source LaTeX editor that provides a GUI-based approach to editing and it comes with a lot of the features listed in the previous two. The TeXworks main features include auto-completion and auto-correction support which simplifies the task of LaTeX editing. This editor is liked by students due to its minimalistic yet comprehensive approach to LaTeX editing.
TeXworks also integrates the use of graphics, table and other image interacting tools to create a more diverse document. The system is also supported by Windows, Linux and the Mac OS ecosystem. This is another favourite LaTeX editor for man people, therefore; engineers and students stand to gain a lot using the TeXworks editor.
Vim with LaTeX-Suite
This is another powerful LaTeX editor that allows the user edit and compiles LaTeX documents on the VIM ecosystem. Like TeXworks before it, it brings a minimalistic approach to editing. It is important to note that it is basically an extension with the capability to edit and compile LaTeX documents for VIM.
Free Latex Editor Mac
The features of this extension include a GUI-based interface which definitely simplifies your work. The simplification comes from the ease at which images, graphics and graphs can be integrated into a document. The LaTeX suite can also be configured according to the user’s wishes and programmers can create different sections, troubleshoot these sections for errors as well as add code blocks with ease into documents. It is also a versatile tool which can be used for diverse functions such as creating notes, editing configured files and the normal LaTeX edits it is known for. Lastly, the extension as well as Vim, is supported on all operating systems—Windows, Linux, Unix, and Mac OS—which definitely increases its appeal to the programming community.
Latex On Mac
Authorea
When looking for an excellent web-based LaTeX editor, the Authorea might just be the best solution for your needs. This tool is great online editors which possess almost all the features you would expect in an advanced LaTeX editor. One of its major selling points is that it comes equipped with ready-to-use templates and not integrations or configurations are needed to set this up.
Its features include a plethora of collaboration tools, document revision history and a chat feature that enhances your ability to communicate with other collaborators when working on a document. The Authorea also makes it easy to insert images, links, tables and other key items you would require making your document more readable. The auto-creation reference feature will also be one that engineering students will find useful when writing dissertations and academic papers that require such. The inclusion of mathematical formulae is also an endearing factor that makes the Authorea a delight for students working with such formulas. This LaTeX editor is also available on Windows, Linux and Mac operating systems.
Here we come to the end of the top 5 LaTeX editors engineering professionals and students can use to edit LaTeX documents and store them digitally using different file formats—PDF, HTML etc. There are other LaTeX editors available on the market and a majority of these editors are totally free. Therefore we recommend that you find one to play around with in other to learn more about the expanded capabilities they offer engineering professionals.