Math & Science ⇒ mathmode etiquette

[php1ic]

Today I learned that it is 'bad' to use eqnarray and I should use align as it is more consistent. No problem, the syntax of the two isn't that different, however now that I include the amsmath package I get this warning because of the way I do fractions ({1 \over 2} rather than \frac{1}{2}). Again the syntax isn't that different so it isn't really a problem.

Code: Select all

Package amsmath Warning: Foreign command \over;
(amsmath)                \frac or \genfrac should be used instead

My question is how to know which syntax to use and which is outdated for different things. A good example can be found in this thread where I suggest an outdated package as it is the one that I use.

http://www.latex-community.org/forum/vi ... f=5&t=5699

I realise that this is a VERY general question, but don't know where else to ask. Is it a matter of personal preference, or will old packages stop being supported/recognised in the future?

Thanks

[gmedina]

Hi,

the l2tabu document "Obsolete commands and packages" (available in several languages) contains information about some obsolete packages and some packages which shouldn't be used.

Also, in CTAN there's information about obsolete packages; the description of the package or its README file normally indicate if a package has been declared deprecated (see for example, the case of the subfigure package); sometimes, there's a warning or a note indicationg not to use a package (see for example, the picinpar package).

For mathematical expressions specifically, the Mathmode document is also useful.

[php1ic]

Thanks gmedina,

I'll give the obsolete commands and packages document a read. After having a quick look through, it looks like I'm using a mixture of good and bad packages.