5

Please how do I stop at all cost in the following? Note: \leavevmode is no rescue.

\documentclass[crop]{standalone}
\def\z#1#2{%
  \ifnum#1<\numexpr#2+1\relax
    \noindent\hfill#1%
    \ifnum#1=#2\relax
      \hfill\null\endgraf
    \else
      \ifdefined\xz
        \hfill\number\numexpr#1+1\hfill\null\endgraf
      \else
        \let\xz\relax\hfill\null\endgraf
      \fi
    \fi
    \expandafter\z\expandafter{\number\numexpr#1+2\expandafter}%
    \expandafter{\number#2\expandafter}%
  \fi
}
\begin{document}
\z19
\stop
\end{document}

enter image description here

Ahmed Musa
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  • The output image you've attached appears to be produced only if \documentclass{article} is used, but not if \documentclass[crop]{standalone} is in effect. Am I missing something? – Mico Jul 07 '12 at 02:31
  • Could you say a little more what you mean by "stop at all costs"? It seems that the loop terminates, at least; do you mean you want to stop executing in the middle of the loop? – Ryan Reich Jul 07 '12 at 04:01
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    With the MWE as written, you get ! Missing } inserted. as the error: replace the crop option by preview to get ! You can't use `\end' in internal vertical mode., which relates more to the title. – Joseph Wright Jul 07 '12 at 06:36
  • @Mico: Joseph Wright has answered the question. I didn't look in standalone.sty to see the boxing that it does. Ditto Ryan Reich. – Ahmed Musa Jul 08 '12 at 02:10

1 Answers1

7

With the standard settings, standalone class uses an \hbox to work. You can see this if you add

\showthe\currentgrouplevel
\showthe\currentgrouptype

before \stop: the reported values are group level 1 and group type 2 ('hbox group'). You simply cannot use the \end primitive inside a box and expect all to be well. Moreover, even if you test for a box using the e-TeX extensions, closing it does not help as the content then disappears as you get no output. So with a complex set up such as the standalone class you really do have to 'stick to the rules' in terms of interface, or write everything yourself.

Joseph Wright
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  • Do you think the scheme at http://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/56294/how-do-i-get-a-value-out-of-a-group/56681#56681 can help? – Ahmed Musa Jul 08 '12 at 02:15
  • @AhmedMusa Possibly, but if there is more than once group level then life gets extremely complicated. In that case, you'll need to insert code which will then check again on the group type, and insert \stop only when you are 'safe'. – Joseph Wright Jul 08 '12 at 08:15