General ⇒ Resources for Understanding of Macro Packages

[ghostanime2001]

What are some good resources for understanding the command definitions in LaTeX packages? For example understanding commands in a definition such as this:.

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\makeatletter
\def\vectfill@{\traitfill@\relbaredd\relbareda\fldr}
%\end{macrocode}
 %Construction of the arrow:
 % \begin{macrocode}
 \def\traitfill@#1#2#3#4{%
 $\m@th\mkern2mu\relax#4#1\mkern0mu%on met \relbaredd au d\’ebut
 \cleaders\hbox{$#4\mkern0mu#2\mkern0mu$}\hfill%remplit avec relbareda
 \mkern0mu#3$%
 }

[Stefan Kottwitz]

Since LaTeX is based on TeX, it's the best to know some TeX for understanding such macros. There are books about it, also free ones.

• TeXbook by D. Knuth
• TeX by Topic by

Stefan

[ghostanime2001]

I think you mean "Knuth" as TeXbook because there is no PDF file from the link that you provided. Also is there a way to make this definition into a \newcommand macro? I would like to use several customized macro for different settings.

[localghost]

I think you mean "Knuth" as TeXbook because there is no PDF file from the link that you provided. […]

The TeXbook is a commercial book which you have to pay for to get a (printed) copy. So let me list some other useful resources regarding TeX.

• »TeX for the Impatient« — Free edition of the book. Accessible via command line by texdoc impatient
• »macros2e« — A list of internal LaTeX2ε macros. Accessible via command line by texdoc macros2e
• »source2e« — The documentation of the LaTeX2ε kernel. Accessible via command line by texdoc source2e

Thorsten

[Stefan Kottwitz]

Easy \defs can be made to \newcommand, such as

Code: Select all

\def\traitfill@#1#2#3#4{...}

to

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\newcommand*{\traitfill@}[4]{...}

The syntax is a bit different and \def is more flexible.

Stefan

[ghostanime2001]

how would I define several versions of this code with length parameters into several macros? the only way I know is with \newcommand but substituting this code messes up.

Code: Select all

\makeatletter
\def\vectfill@{\traitfill@\relbaredd\relbareda\fldr}
%\end{macrocode}
 %Construction of the arrow:
 % \begin{macrocode}
 \def\traitfill@#1#2#3#4{%
 $\m@th\mkern2mu\relax#4#1\mkern0mu%on met \relbaredd au d\’ebut
 \cleaders\hbox{$#4\mkern0mu#2\mkern0mu$}\hfill%remplit avec relbareda
 \mkern0mu#3$%
 }

[cgnieder]

This is a follow-up or related question to your other question about the redefinition of the esvect arrow, right?

I must say I don't really understand what goal you're after in the end. Maybe you can elaborate on what the final code should be able to do. Then it would be easier to give specific help.

Regards

[ghostanime2001]

That is correct

This is a follow-up or related question to your other question about the redefinition of the esvect arrow, right?

My goal is to do exactly that in the link to my post. What does \traitfill@ do?