Can we include a LaTeX package?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility and process of including additional LaTeX packages for typesetting arrow diagrams. Participants explore the limitations of current options and suggest alternatives for improved diagram representation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a desire for a LaTeX package that simplifies the creation of arrow diagrams, criticizing ASCII art as inadequate.
  • One participant mentions that basic arrow diagrams can be created using the AMS math package, which is standard in LaTeX distributions.
  • Another participant confirms that AMS is already included and suggests that adding more packages is not difficult.
  • One participant requests more complex diagram capabilities, providing examples of desired outputs with labels on arrows.
  • Another participant suggests the xypic package for complex diagrams, noting its difficulty, and mentions Paul Taylor's diagrams package as a simpler alternative.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the AMS package is included and that additional packages can be added, but there is no consensus on the best package to use for more complex diagrams.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations are noted regarding the complexity of certain packages and the specific capabilities of the AMS package for diagram typesetting.

Hurkyl
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How hard would it be to include another LaTeX package?

It would be nice to have a LaTeX package that allows for easy typesetting of arrow diagrams... ASCII art is ugly, and it's messy to do even simple diagrams with what we have...

Hopefully matt grime will suggest a package and where you could get it.
 
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Hurkyl said:
How hard would it be to include another LaTeX package?

It would be nice to have a LaTeX package that allows for easy typesetting of arrow diagrams... ASCII art is ugly, and it's messy to do even simple diagrams with what we have...

Hopefully matt grime will suggest a package and where you could get it.

Are you referring to arrow diagrams such as:

--> a --> b --> c

If so, this is part of the basic AMS math package, which is standard in any LaTeX distribution (as far as I know).

http://www.devel.lyx.org/~rae/www-user/help/symbols/ams-arrows.gif

If the AMS package could be included every rendering, you could certainly use these arrows.

Edit: Hey, it already works!

[tex]\dashrightarrow[/tex]
[tex]\rightrightarrows[/tex]
[tex]\int x^2 dx \rightarrow \frac{1}{3}x^3[/tex]
etc. etc.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
As graphic7 noted, AMS is already included. It is not difficult to include additional packages at all.

- Warren
 
I was looking for some more complicated things... for instance, look here

One simple one I wanted was:

[tex]1 \stackrel{\mathrm{true}}{\overrightarrow{\quad \qquad}} \Omega[/tex]

A more complicated example was:

Code:
1 --> N --> N
|     |     |
V     V     V
1 --> X --> X

(Where I would have liked labels on each arrow too)
 
'The' package is xypic, but this can be difficult to learn. A simpler one is Paul Taylor's diagrams package. All latex packages are at ctan.org. AMS latex stuff does have limited se to typset some diagrams.
 

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