latex

Compile a DVI document

$ latex [source.tex]

$ latex -output-directory=[path/to/directory] [source.tex]

$ latex -halt-on-error [source.tex]

latex [OPTION]... [TEXFILE[.tex]]

-file-line-error
    Print errors in source file:line format

-halt-on-error
    Stop processing at first error

-help
    Display help and exit

-ini
    Enable iniTeX mode (dump formats)

-interaction=mode
    Set interaction mode: errorstopmode, scrollmode, nonstopmode, batchmode

-jobname=string
    Set main file name

-kpathsea-debug=number
    Set Kpathsea debug flags

-mktexfmt
    Enable mktexfmt (create formats)

-mktexpk
    Enable mktexpk (PK fonts)

-mktextex
    Enable mktextex (TeX fonts)

-no-mktexfmt
    Disable mktexfmt

-output-comment=string
    Set output DVI comment

-output-directory=dir
    Output files to dir

-output-format=format
    Use format for output (dvi default)

-parse-first-line
    Parse first line for %&format

-papersize=string
    Override paper size

-pool-size=number
    Set pool size

-progname=string
    Set program name

-recorder
    Enable file dependency recording

-shell-escape
    Enable shell commands from document

-src-specials
    Embed source file info in DVI

-translate-file=targ src
    Translation file

-version
    Show version and exit

The latex command is a high-level TeX formatter for processing LaTeX documents. It takes a .tex source file as input and produces a Device Independent (DVI) output file, suitable for printing or conversion to other formats like PDF via tools such as dvipdf or dvips. LaTeX extends plain TeX with macros for easier document structuring, including sections, bibliographies, indexes, figures, tables, and complex mathematics.

Usage typically involves multiple runs: first to generate auxiliary files (.aux, .toc), second (and possibly more) to resolve cross-references, citations, and page numbers. Errors are reported interactively unless -interaction=batchmode is used. It relies on the underlying TeX engine (often pdfTeX) with the latex.fmt format preloaded.

Essential for academic papers, theses, books, and technical reports, latex ensures consistent typography. Install via TeX Live or MiKTeX. For direct PDF output, prefer pdflatex. Supports packages via \usepackage for extensions like graphics (graphicx) or hyperlinks (hyperref).

Produces DVI only; use pdflatex for PDF. Multiple runs often needed for references. Requires full TeX distribution. Shell escape risky for untrusted files.

latex document.tex
latex document (second run for TOC)
latex --interaction=nonstopmode document.tex

document.dvi (main), .aux, .log, .toc, .lof, .lot

Developed by Leslie Lamport in 1985 atop Donald Knuth's TeX (1978). Evolved through LaTeX 2.09, LaTeX2e (1994, current standard). Integrated into TeX Live distributions since 1990s.

pdflatex(1), xelatex(1), lualatex(1), tex(1), dvips(1), dvipdfmx(1)