                             What is TeX?

... TeX is a software system written by Donald Knuth to typeset text,
especially text containing mathematics. LaTeX is a set of macros written
in TeX, designed to simplify the typesetting of a document by allowing the
user to concentrate on the content and structure of the document rather than
the exact appearance of the finished product. METAFONT, also discussed here,
is a program which allows the user to design their own fonts. The definitive
reference for TeX is _The TeXbook_, by Donald Knuth (Addison Wesley, 1984,
ISBN 0-201-13447-0, paperback 0-201-13448-9). For LaTeX, see _LaTeX, a
Document Preparation System_ by Leslie Lamport (Addison Wesley, 1986,
ISBN 0-201-15790-X). For METAFONT, see _The METAFONTbook_ by Donald
Knuth (Addison Wesley, 1984, ISBN 0-201-13445-4).

[The attached FAQ] contains answers to some frequently asked questions on
comp.text.tex. ... Note that Guoying Chen (chenguo@spunky.cs.nyu.edu) posts
the monthly document ``Supplementary TeX Information'' to comp.text.tex
containing other information and software relevant to TeX users but beyond
the scope of this article.

This is version 1.34 for March, last changed 3/11/93.

-Bobby Bodenheimer / bobby@hot.caltech.edu
