LaTeX Compile: Understanding the Compilation Process | Octree - AI LaTeX Editor

Understanding LaTeX Compilation

LaTeX doesn't produce PDFs directly—it goes through a compilation process.

What Happens When You Compile?

1. LaTeX reads your .tex file 2. Processes commands and environments 3. Handles packages and macros 4. Generates output (DVI, PDF, etc.)

LaTeX Engines

pdfLaTeX (Most Common)

The standard choice:

- Direct PDF output - Wide compatibility - Fast compilation - Supports PDF, PNG, JPG images

XeLaTeX

For modern fonts:

- System font support - Full Unicode - Good for non-Latin scripts - Slightly slower

LuaLaTeX

Programmable LaTeX:

- Lua scripting built-in - System fonts - Modern development - Memory efficient

Choosing an Engine

Compilation Commands

Command Line

pdflatex document.tex xelatex document.tex lualatex document.tex

With Bibliography

1. pdflatex document 2. bibtex document 3. pdflatex document 4. pdflatex document

Yes, you run LaTeX multiple times!

With biber (for biblatex)

1. pdflatex document 2. biber document 3. pdflatex document

Why Multiple Passes?

LaTeX needs multiple runs for:

- Table of contents - Cross-references - Bibliography - Index

First pass collects information, subsequent passes use it.

Compilation Time

Factors affecting speed:

- Document length - Number of images - Package complexity - Engine choice - Bibliography size

Speed Tips

- Use draft mode during writing - Compile less frequently - Use latexmk for automation - Consider faster engines

latexmk: Automated Compilation

Handles multiple passes automatically:

latexmk -pdf document.tex

For XeLaTeX:

latexmk -xelatex document.tex

Common Compile Errors

Missing Package

! LaTeX Error: File xxx.sty not found

Fix: Install the package

Undefined Control Sequence

! Undefined control sequence

Fix: Check spelling, include correct package

Missing $ Inserted

! Missing $ inserted

Fix: Use math mode for math symbols

Too Many }'s

! Too many }'s

Fix: Check brace matching

Reading Error Messages

LaTeX errors include:

- Line number - Error type - Context

Example:

! Undefined control sequence. l.15 \mathbff{x}

Line 15, typo in \mathbf.

Auxiliary Files

Compilation creates:

- .aux — cross-reference data - .log — compilation log - .toc — table of contents - .bbl — bibliography - .out — PDF bookmarks

Safe to delete these for clean compile.

Fast Compilation with Octree

Octree handles compilation for you:

- Instant preview - Automatic multiple passes - Clear error messages - No setup needed

Try it at https://useoctree.com