3

I know there have been discussions on what editors to use in general. However, I have a specific question about comparable tex editor to Texpad on Windows.

I am a mac user and I am thinking about switching to a windows system. However, Texpad is the only thing I am using that is not available on Windows. I tried a few editors on PC but none of them comes close to Texpad. I have three main concerns:

  1. Auto sense and auto typeset -- Texpad detects changes to tex codes automatically and compile by itself to reflect those changes
  2. Error detecting -- Texpad detects errors very well, often point you to the line where the problem comes from
  3. No multiple files -- Some windows editors I have tried produce multiple files in addition to pdf once I compile.

Any suggestion would be helpful. I am aware of some of the online editors such as ShareLatex, but it is hard to update figures and tables with those editors. I also like work things offline from time to time.

AndréC
  • 24,137
James H
  • 245
  • 1
    editors don't generate multiple files, latex creates (and needs) them. Perhaps texpad moves them to a subdirectory? any editor or script could do that (although I always recommend not doing so:-) – David Carlisle Aug 06 '18 at 19:49
  • I don't know how Texpad should enhance error detection from TeX's. Every editor shows you on which line which error was as that is part of TeX's error output. And I won't consider your first point as something good. It moves to much attention away from the contents to the looks of your document, imho. – Skillmon Aug 06 '18 at 20:06
  • @Skillmon the question is about what would be a suitable substitute. It's not about whether the properties are good or bad. For example, some people seem to like an editor with a very obscure way of exiting, while others like an editor that acts as an OS, but who are we to decide which is better... :) – Alan Munn Aug 06 '18 at 20:10
  • @AlanMunn and my point was that at least one point should be covered by every possible editor and one point might not be that high in priorities (of course I don't want to tell OP what he should do with his life). TeXstudio can at least handle all those auxiliary files in another folder for a cleaner structure https://tex.stackexchange.com/q/184204/117050, the error display is decent from what I viewed on colleagues' laptops, don't know about the auto compile though. – Skillmon Aug 06 '18 at 20:46
  • @JamesH Have you tried Lyx which compiles displays equations being written? A slideshow presentation is here: wiki.lyx.org/uploads/LyX/Screencasts/LyXIntroPalette.htm – AndréC Aug 08 '18 at 05:09
  • @AndréC yesterday I have tried Lyx, but it not the same as a Latex editor. The auto compile gives you a sense of how long your paragraph, how many pages etc. – James H Aug 10 '18 at 02:45
  • 1
    It is really sad there is no comparable editor on PC. If you haven't used Texpad on Mac, you should really try. It makes a huge difference in my opinion. It is the only thing that I use my mac for nowadays. – James H Aug 10 '18 at 02:48

1 Answers1

2

I believe the authors of Texpad are working on a Windows version of their editor. It is not available for beta testing yet.

I can't wait myself as I have to work on a Windows computer at work.

Stephen Lien
  • 373