hatex-guide-1.3.1.1: src/preface.htxg

#Preface#

##Introduction##

If you are here to learn more about \hatex, or are just curious, you are in the
right place. First of all, note that this guide is aimed at those who already
know the basics of both Haskell and \latex. If you don't, first try to learn
a bit of each (both are quite useful). To learn Haskell, start with some
tutorials and suggestions at the excellent Haskell website
[<http://haskell.org>]. To
learn \latex, start with /The not so short introduction to \latex/
[<http://tobi.oetiker.ch/lshort/lshort.pdf>].

The \hatex library aspires to be the tool with which Haskellers want to
construct their \latex documents while working within their beloved language.
\hatex tries to be as comprehensive and well constructed as possible.
Do you still think that something could be better? Is something lacking,
perhaps? Then go to the \hatex mailing list
[<http://projects.haskell.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/hatex>]
and complain without mercy! Or, if you are a GitHub user, create an issue
[<https://github.com/Daniel-Diaz/HaTeX/issues>] or, to be awesome,
create a patch and send a pull request. This is one of the great things about
open source projects!

##What is HaTeX?##

Before explaining /how/ \hatex works, it is convenient to state /what/ \hatex
actually is.

/\hatex is a Haskell library that provides functions to create, manipulate and
parse \latex code./

People often say that /\hatex is a \latex DSL/, or Domain Specific Language.
With it you can enjoy all the many advantages of Haskell while creating \latex
documents. A common use is the
automatic creation of such documents, perhaps from a Haskell data source.
A more exotic one is to render chessboard situations. Possibilities are limited
only by the imagination. The goal is this: if you can do it with \latex, you can
do it with \hatex,
while taking advantage of all that Haskell offers.