Document Classes ⇒ Custom packages, package inclusion, etc...

[angelixd]

There's no simple way to ask this, so let me try:

I'm writing & maintaining a bunch of custom .cls and .sty files, and I really don't know how the inheritance scheme works. if I have a custom .cls file and use it in a document, and that .cls file has some \usepackage statements in it, can my document use the routines in those packages? what if the .cls file includes a .sty file that has those packages in it; can the original document access those included routines?

Related to this question, since I can't seem to find any information on this: What is the difference between \usepackage and \RequirePackage ? is this a TeX/LaTeX thing, or something that affects inheritance?

Either way, I'd like to be able to reduce my redundancy in my code and enhance consistency. Anyone have any input?

[gmedina]

This document can be useful.