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I use LaTeX because I can define both layout and content in text files. I can store those files in git, and generate a quick PDF from them. I used to use pando

I use LaTeX because I can define both layout and content in text files. I can store those files in git, and generate a quick PDF from them. I used to use pandoc (with pandoc-flavored Markdown) for this, but it just couldn't handle layout properly, even with mixed LaTeX and Markdown in the same files. I'm not overly fond of LaTeX, but it is the only tool that does what I want.

LEARAX 6y ago
It's really unfortunate that LaTeX and friends seem to be the only options for document typesetting with anything vaguely complicated. There are just so many quirks and oddities; many times I feel like error messages might as well be written in another language, and the syntax becomes ugly fast. Personally I haven't had much luck getting into LuaLateX or XeLaTeX, but I'd be interested in hearing if anyone has found those to be worthy alternatives. Having looked into LuaLaTeX a bit, it seems there are a lot of odd quirks there as well.
- wahern 6y ago
  LaTeX and its TeX cousins are the worst document typesetting options except for all the others. What's fascinating is that this situation has existed for decades. Alternatives have risen and [mostly] fallen, but LaTeX persists. For that reason an alternative would not only have to be better, but significantly better, for me to question someone's choice of LaTeX.
  - Tainnor 6y ago
    This. It's also hilarious how bad LaTeX actually is at maths despite it being overwhelmingly used for exactly that purpose. Instead of worrying about mathematical semantics, you constantly have to make typesetting decisions. There are workarounds (use your own custom, semantic commands), but still. And yet, everything else seems to be even worse. Disclaimer: I have been using LaTeX (mostly XeLaTeX) for over a decade for most of my writing, mathematical and non-mathematical, although nowadays I often do so via Markdown+pandoc. Also, at my last company we had to parse mathematical formulas typeset in LaTeX and understand their structure... it was a nightmare.

LEARAX 6y ago

It's really unfortunate that LaTeX and friends seem to be the only options for document typesetting with anything vaguely complicated. There are just so many quirks and oddities; many times I feel like error messages might as well be written in another language, and the syntax becomes ugly fast. Personally I haven't had much luck getting into LuaLateX or XeLaTeX, but I'd be interested in hearing if anyone has found those to be worthy alternatives. Having looked into LuaLaTeX a bit, it seems there are a lot of odd quirks there as well.

wahern 6y ago
LaTeX and its TeX cousins are the worst document typesetting options except for all the others. What's fascinating is that this situation has existed for decades. Alternatives have risen and [mostly] fallen, but LaTeX persists. For that reason an alternative would not only have to be better, but significantly better, for me to question someone's choice of LaTeX.
- Tainnor 6y ago
  This. It's also hilarious how bad LaTeX actually is at maths despite it being overwhelmingly used for exactly that purpose. Instead of worrying about mathematical semantics, you constantly have to make typesetting decisions. There are workarounds (use your own custom, semantic commands), but still. And yet, everything else seems to be even worse. Disclaimer: I have been using LaTeX (mostly XeLaTeX) for over a decade for most of my writing, mathematical and non-mathematical, although nowadays I often do so via Markdown+pandoc. Also, at my last company we had to parse mathematical formulas typeset in LaTeX and understand their structure... it was a nightmare.