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If you just want to put words on a page and print it out, sure, use a word processor. But if you have to generate more than one document with the same formatti
by CarVac 10y ago
If you just want to put words on a page and print it out, sure, use a word processor.
But if you have to generate more than one document with the same formatting, or a very large document, LaTeX is the way to go.
I use it, interfaced with SQLite-generated CSV files, to compile 50 page reports for work with no effort at all. This process used to take hours.
Another thing I do for work is using SQL to actually generate LaTeX documents programmatically, using premade macros that are stored in a class file.
The power and consistent behavior is what makes it better than word processors.
- tomcam 10y agoInteresting approach. You imply that your output is not printed. It seems to me that HTML with style sheets would be an equally good approach? Not telling you, just curious about your workflow. Any browser can handle a 50 page document without breaking a sweat.
- CarVac 10y agoIt is printed, in fact, so browser stuff wouldn't work.
- thomasfedb 10y agoIt could. I have a couple of apps that will render HTML to PDF server-side for users to download. Rendering LaTeX to PDF would be far less fuss, however, when you already have the HTML templates it is the path of least resistance.
- zuron7 10y agoTrue, it would be easier, but a common person can do the same thing in Office much faster. Linking Excel columns to fill a Word document doesn't take that long. I've seen a few places use Excel as a billing software with a little bit of VBScript. Outside of the tech world, I don't see it gaining traction. At the end of the day, we all need different products for different kinds of users. If you're wondering, I'm the LaTeX kind, used it everywhere I could.