Introduction
This section describes how to install the basic LaTeX packages as well as additional tools such as LaTeX editors on your OS.
New to LaTeX?
“Installing LaTeX” means installing a distribution (e.g. TeX Live) that bundles the TeX compiler, style sheets, and packages. See Terms if you want the full picture before continuing.
Installation Procedure
Though slightly different, the procedure remains ultimately the same for both installation methods mentioned below:
Install LaTeX and its package manager or a way to run it (this document)
Install the BFH CI packages (see BFH LaTeX Installation)
Install an editor of your choice (see Tools and Editors)
Installation
We provide two main ways to install LaTex and especially the BFH LaTeX packages:
Not sure which to pick?
Use Docker. It is a single install step, works identically on every OS, and already includes the distribution plus BFH LaTeX packages.
Choose Native only if you already use TeX Live daily or specifically need a non-containerized setup.
Native
Note
Native installation requires you to install packages to your OS manually.
What You will Install
There are multiple things you will need to install to the correct location, depending on the operating system you use, making the process more complex than Docker, which comes with everything pre-installed.
Package |
Status |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
TeX Live distribution |
Required |
The TeX compiler, style sheets, and base packages |
|
Required |
Fallback font used by the BFH CI if BFH-Fonts is not installed |
Latexmk |
Recommended |
CLI tool to compile LaTeX documents |
Inkscape |
Recommended |
Converts SVG figures to PDF at build time |
Biber |
Recommended |
Generates bibliographies |
Make |
Optional |
Convenience for Makefile-based builds (GNU/Linux only, below) |
(LaTeX) Editor |
Recommended |
A way to edit your LaTeX files |
Continue here for installing natively.
Docker
Note
The usage of Docker simplifies the installation steps in many ways, since only two things need to be installed.
What You will Install
Unlike the native installation, you will only need two things on your machine, and the workflow is the same on every OS. After installing Docker, you can immediately start developing LaTeX documents.
Package |
Status |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
Docker |
Required |
The engine allowing you to run our pre-built images coming with all LaTeX build dependencies |
(LaTeX) Editor |
Recommended |
A way to edit your LaTeX files |
Read more about Docker on docker.com.
Continue here for installing with docker.