LaTeX – 3-Step Quick Guide with Benefits

LaTeX is a document preparation system widely used in academia for creating high-quality, professional documents, especially in fields like mathematics, computer science, engineering, and physics. It uses plain text and markup tagging conventions to define the structure and style of a document, making it easier for authors to focus on content rather than formatting. LaTeX is known for its exceptional typesetting capabilities, handling complex mathematical notation, and producing beautifully rendered documents.

Benefits of Using LaTeX

1. It produces beautifully typeset documents with excellent handling of mathematical symbols, fonts, spacing, and line breaks.
2. Encourage authors to organize their documents logically, leading to a clearer and more coherent publication.
3. It is designed to handle documents of any length and complexity.
4. It can be easily extended with custom functions and features.
5. Easy referencing and formatting.
6. It is supported by a large community of developers and researchers, making it easy to find help and advice when needed.
7. Using modern approaches, you can write papers in different languages, including Arabic.
8. Last but not least, it is free and open source.

Installing LaTeX on Mac and Using it in VSCode

To install LaTeX on a Mac and use it in Visual Studio Code (VSCode), follow these steps:

Step 1: Install MacTeX

Download and install MacTeX from the TeX Users Group website.

Step 2: Install Visual Studio Code

Download and install Visual Studio Code from the official website.

Step 3: Install the Extension

In Visual Studio Code, open the Extensions view by clicking on the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the side of the window. Search for “LaTeX Workshop” and install the extension.

Step 4: Restart the System

After installing the extension, you have to restart the system. After the restart completes, you will have LaTex ready on your system.

VSCode vs. Overleaf

Let me just tell you why I prefer using VSCode and not Overleaf.

1. While Overleaf is a popular online platform for writing and collaborating on LaTeX documents, using LaTeX in VSCode has many advantages.
2. Cost: VSCode is free, whereas Overleaf has subscription plans for advanced features and increased collaboration capabilities.
3. Offline Access: With VSCode, you can work on your documents offline, while Overleaf requires an internet connection.
4. Customization: VSCode allows for greater customization and integration with other extensions and tools, providing a more personalized experience.