Experimental LaTeX3 High-Level Concepts ======================================= 2009/11/25 WHERE TO GET IT --------------- The files in this distribution represent a snapshot of selected files from the Subversion (SVN) repository of the LaTeX3 Project. To obtain current versions of the files, visit which contains further instructions. OVERVIEW -------- The xpackages are a collection of experimental implementations for aspects of the LaTeX3 kernel, dealing with higher-level ideas such as the Desginer Interface. Some of them work as stand alone packages, providing new functionality, and can be used on top of LaTeX2e with no changes to the existing kernel. Others go further, and redefine LaTeX2e internals to provide better methods for managing certain constructs. All xpackages require expl3 and, in addition to this, many require functionality provided by the packages within the xbase bundle. Currently included in the CTAN release of xpackages are the following bundles: xbase xtras xbase ----- The xbase bundle provides mechansims for defining document commands (xparse) and design constructions (xtemplate). The xparse package provides a high-level interface for declaring document commands, e.g., a uniform way to define commands taking optional arguments, optional stars (and others), mandatory arguments and more. The xtemplate package provides an interface for defining generic functions using a key=val syntax. This is designed to be "self-documenting", with the key definitions providing information on how they are to be used. The legacy template and ldcsetup packages are included at the present time, but new LaTeX3 code will not use these! Source files: - xbase.ins - xparse.dtx - xtemplate.dtx xtras ----- The xtras bundle provides functionality to bridge between LaTeX2e and LaTeX3. It provides add-ons to LaTeX2e to allow other xpackages to be used in the LaTeX2e context. The l3keys2e package allows keys defined using l3keys to be used as package and class options with LaTeX2e. This is tied to the method the existing kernel uses for processing options, and so it is likely that a stand-alone LaTeX3 kernel will use a very different approach. DISCUSSION ---------- Discussion concerning the approach, suggestions for improvements, changes, additions, etc. should be addressed to the list LATEX-L. You can subscribe to this list by sending mail to listserv@urz.uni-heidelberg.de with the body containing subscribe LATEX-L BUGS ---- If you find a real bug that makes a package stop working you can report it via the standard LaTeX bug reporting mechanism of the LaTeX distribution (see bugs.txt there) using the category "Experimental LaTeX kernel". However please do *not* use this method for suggestions / comments / improvements / etc. For this the list LATEX-L should be used instead. --- Copyright 1998 -- 2009 The LaTeX3 Project. All rights reserved ---