Latexmk --- Automating the document compiling process

Latexmk completely automates the process of compiling a LaTeX document. Essentially, it is like a spe- cialized relative of the general make utility, but one which determines dependencies automatically and has some other very useful features. In its basic mode of operation latexmk is given the name of the primary source file for a document, and it issues the appropriate sequence of commands to generate a .dvi, .ps, .pdf and/or hardcopy version of the document.

Versions of the LaTex engine

Historically, the command latex <filename> produced output as a .dvi file, a special format that had to be converted into a .ps or a .pdf file, which was, and is, the desired final output. A later development was pdflatex, which outputs .pdf directly, without needing any conversion. This is the most common verson used at the department.

The most modern development is lualatex, which also produces .pdf output.

Configuration file Configuration file