# scholatex **Print-ready teaching worksheets, without writing LaTeX.** โ€” A small, consistent tag language for the documents a teacher actually makes. [![CTAN](https://img.shields.io/badge/CTAN-scholatex-d35400?style=flat-square)](https://ctan.org/pkg/scholatex) [![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/version-2.3-2980b9?style=flat-square)](https://ctan.org/pkg/scholatex) [![Engine](https://img.shields.io/badge/engine-LuaLaTeX-1F3A5F?style=flat-square)](https://www.luatex.org/) [![TeX Live](https://img.shields.io/badge/TeX_Live-included-27ae60?style=flat-square)](https://tug.org/texlive/) [![License](https://img.shields.io/badge/license-GPL_v3+-8e44ad?style=flat-square)](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0) ## Why scholatex? Write a single `.tex` file with a tiny, readable syntax and get a clean, print-ready worksheet โ€” framed exercises, a results table, simple formulas, an image โ€” without `\begin{tabular}{|c|c|}`, without counting ampersands, without remembering which package draws a coloured box. ```latex % !TeX program = lualatex \documentclass[margins=20, size=12]{scholatex} \begin{document} My first scholatex document This is a normal paragraph. {Bold}, {italic}, {red}. { Boxes, tables, images and maths all use the same tag syntax. } \end{document} ``` Compile with `lualatex myfile.tex` โ€” the `scholatex` class reads the body between `\begin{document}` and `\end{document}`, transpiles it to LaTeX, and typesets it. The output has full LaTeX quality; the syntax is meant to be read and edited in minutes by someone who does not know LaTeX. scholatex is a **closed language**: the backslash is an ordinary character, so raw LaTeX commands in the body are typeset literally rather than executed. Everything a worksheet needs is expressed through tags, which keeps documents consistent and safe to share. ## Quick start ```bash tlmgr install scholatex # add sudo on macOS/Linux; see Installation below ``` ```latex \documentclass[margins=20, size=12, lang=en]{scholatex} \begin{document} First topic A paragraph with {bold} and {colour}. \end{document} ``` ## Key features - **๐Ÿท๏ธ One tag syntax** โ€” `{content}` covers text, tables, images, maths, boxes, lists and full-page layouts - **๐ŸŽจ 151 colours** โ€” the full CSS / svgnames palette in CamelCase, 22 of them with a lowercase shortcut - **๐Ÿ“ A maths mini-language** โ€” fractions, roots, sums, products, integrals, derivatives, trigonometry, matrices and systems, all in `$...$` - **๐Ÿ“ฆ Framed boxes & grids** โ€” coloured `` panels and CSS-Grid-style named-area page layouts - **๐Ÿ“Š Tables without pain** โ€” two-letter cell placement, spans, headers, borders, no ampersand counting - **โ™ป๏ธ Aliases & macros** โ€” factor a style once, name it everywhere; one edit restyles the whole document - **๐Ÿ” Control flow** โ€” loops, conditionals and `#{...}` interpolation in the document body - **๐Ÿ”’ Sandbox option** โ€” `untrusted=true` runs document Lua in a restricted environment --- ## The one rule Everything is a **tag**: `` followed either by `{content}` (inline) or by a line that ends in `{` (a block). Attribute words follow a single case convention: | Form | Meaning | Examples | |------|---------|----------| | `lowercase` | a short keyword (style, alignment, skip) | `b`, `i`, `c`, `2tab` | | `CamelCase` | an extended CSS colour (151 of them) | `SteelBlue`, `Crimson` | | `UPPERCASE` | a font name | `DEJAVU SANS` | The order of words inside a tag never matters โ€” emission is always normalised (page break, then vertical skips, then alignment, then tabs, then styles). --- ## Installation `scholatex` is on CTAN and ships with TeX Live, so on a current, fully updated TeX Live or MacTeX it is already there โ€” compile with `lualatex` and nothing more is needed. If your installation predates the package, install it once with the TeX Live manager; the same two commands work on **macOS, Linux and Windows**: ```bash tlmgr update --self tlmgr install scholatex ``` On macOS (MacTeX) and most Linux setups `tlmgr` needs administrator rights, so prefix both with `sudo`. On Windows, open the *TeX Live Command-Line* (or a terminal as Administrator) and run them without `sudo`. MiKTeX users install through the MiKTeX Console (*Packages* โ†’ search `scholatex` โ†’ *Install*), or with `mpm --install=scholatex`. `tlmgr update --self` comes first because the manager refuses to install packages when its own version is older than the repository's. After installing, check the class is found: ```bash kpsewhich scholatex.cls ``` It should print a path under your TeX tree. From then on `\documentclass{scholatex}` works from any folder. If `tlmgr install scholatex` reports the package is *not present in the repository*, your mirror has not yet synced a recent release; either wait a day or switch to the main CTAN mirror and retry: ```bash sudo tlmgr option repository https://mirror.ctan.org/systems/texlive/tlnet sudo tlmgr update --self sudo tlmgr install scholatex ``` ### Manual install (any OS, no waiting) To use the package immediately without `tlmgr`, drop the files into your personal TeX tree, mirroring the CTAN layout, then refresh the filename database. The home tree is `~/Library/texmf` on macOS, `~/texmf` on Linux, and `%USERPROFILE%\texmf` on Windows: ```bash mkdir -p ~/texmf/tex/luatex/latex/scholatex cp scholatex.cls scholatex.lua scholatex-*.lua ~/texmf/tex/luatex/latex/scholatex/ mktexlsr ~/texmf ``` A LuaLaTeX engine is required (`lualatex`); the package does **not** compile with `pdflatex` or `xelatex`. --- ## Class options Set in `\documentclass[...]{scholatex}`: | Option | Default | Meaning | |--------|---------|---------| | `margins` | `20` | `N` (all sides) or `{top,right,bottom,left}` in mm | | `font` | `Latin Modern Roman` | main text font | | `mathfont` | `Latin Modern Math` | math font | | `size` | `11` | base font size in pt | | `imgdir` | `img` | folder(s) searched for bare image names; comma-separated list, e.g. `{IMG, IMAGES/PNG}` | | `tabwidth` | `8` | width of one tab, in mm (a large Seyรจs square) | | `lineheight` | `8` | height of one explicit line skip (``, ``), in mm | | `linespread` | `1.0` | overall line spacing (1.5 = one-and-a-half); tall maths never touches even at 1.0 | | `scriptscale` | `100` | scale (%) of `up`/`down` scripts | | `padding` | `2` | inner padding (mm) between a box/grid frame and its content; override locally with `sep:N` | | `lang` | `fr` | decimal separator: `fr` (comma) or `en` (point); affects typed and interpolated decimals alike | | `untrusted` | `false` | run document Lua in a restricted sandbox โ€” see [Security](#security) | Headings carry no extra vertical space or built-in colour: to style one, fold a heading keyword into an alias, e.g. `let h = ` then `My title`. --- ## Text attributes **Inline styles** โ€” `b` bold, `i` italic, `u` underline, `emph`, `sf` sans-serif, `sc` small caps. They combine in one tag: `{bold italic red}`. **Colours** โ€” a colour is always one of the 151 CSS colours, written in CamelCase: `Navy`, `Red`, `Tomato`, `SteelBlue`, `ForestGreen`, โ€ฆ. One rule, no lowercase shortcuts โ€” the everyday colours are simply capitalised (`Red`, `Blue`, `Green`, `Gray`). See the [colour reference](#colour-reference). **Fonts and sizes** โ€” a font name in CAPITALS (`{โ€ฆ}`); sizes as `Npt` or `Npx` (`<14pt>{โ€ฆ}`). **Alignment** โ€” `l` left, `c` centre, `r` right, `j` justified. **Tabs and skips** (the number is always a prefix) โ€” `Ntab` indents the first line by N tabs; vertical skips obey singular/plural agreement: `line` or `1line` skips one, `2lines`, `3lines`, โ€ฆ skip several. Bare `tab` = `1tab`. **Scripts** โ€” `upN` raises text by N mm, `downN` lowers it: `x{2}`, `H{2}O`. **Page break** โ€” `nextpage`. **Section headings** โ€” `section`, `subsection`, `subsubsection` give the three levels, numbered automatically: ```
First topic A detail A finer point ``` renders as `1 First topic`, `1.1 A detail`, `1.1.1 A finer point`. A **table of contents** is printed with ``; give it a title in braces: `{Table of contents}`. **Numbering style** โ€” by default the numbers are hierarchical (`1`, then `1.1`, then `1.1.1`). A counter keyword on a heading changes the style of *that* level, on its own โ€” no inherited prefix: `num` (1, 2, 3), `roman` (i, ii, iii), `ROMAN` (I, II, III), `alpha` (a, b, c), `ALPHA` (A, B, C). For example `let study = ` and `let step = ` give sections `I`, `II` and, under each, steps `1`, `2`, `3` (not `I.1`). Each level is independent; without a keyword, the default hierarchical numbering stands. --- ## Aliases and macros โ€” the factoring tool Define a style **once**, at the top of the document, then name it everywhere instead of repeating its attributes. One edit at the definition restyles the whole document. ``` let title = % style alias let h1 = % a heading style, reusable let p = % a standard indented paragraph My heading <h1>First topic <p>{ A paragraph, indented and justified, named not described. } let n = 7 % value, usable in #{...} Seven squared is #{n*n}. let greet{name} = Hello #name! % text macro with parameters ``` Change `let h1 = <Navy b section>` to `<ForestGreen b section>` once and **every** first-level heading follows โ€” the single point of control that keeps a long worksheet consistent. --- ## Tables Columns are declared in brackets, **one two-letter placement code per column**. The first letter is vertical (`t`/`m`/`b`), the second horizontal (`l`/`c`/`r`): `mc` is middle-centre, `br` bottom-right. This is the only placement syntax scholatex uses โ€” in tables as in boxes and grids. ``` <table [mc, ml, mc, mc] borders header fill:AliceBlue line:Navy headerfill:Navy headertext:White>{ <colspan:4 mc>{Term report} Day | Subject | Mark | Coef. <rowspan:2 mc>{Monday} | Maths | 15 | 4 . | French | 12 | 3 } ``` One row per line, `|` between cells. `<colspan:N>` and `<rowspan:N>` span cells; `.` marks a cell covered by a span above. `N:` before a placement code fixes a column width in mm. --- ## Images ``` <img 30>{photo.png} % 30 mm wide <img 40x25>{photo.png} % 40 mm ร— 25 mm <img>{photo.png} % full available width, never enlarged ``` A bare name is searched in each folder of `imgdir` in turn, then at the project root. An explicit path always works (`<img 20>{IMG/PNG/chat.png}`). --- ## Maths Wrap maths in `$โ€ฆ$`. A small mini-language keeps it light: | You write | You get | |-----------|---------| | `*` | ร— | | `+-` | ยฑ | | `<=` `>=` `!=` | โ‰ค โ‰ฅ โ‰  | | `a/b` | fraction (chained `a/b/c` reads as `(a/b)/c`) | | `x^2` `x_i` | power / index (bind tighter than `/`, so `x^2/y` is `\frac{x^2}{y}`) | | `sqrt(2)` | โˆš2 | | `sum(i=1, n) i` | โˆ‘ with bounds, display style | | `prod(k=1, n) k` | โˆ with bounds, display style | | `int(x) f(x)` | โˆซ f(x) dx (primitive; the differential is added) | | `int(x=a, b) f(x)` | โˆซ from a to b, f(x) dx | | `contourint(C) f(z)` | โˆฎ contour integral | | `pvint(x=a, b) f(x)` | p.v. โˆซ Cauchy principal value | | `meanint(x=a, b) f(x)` | โจ average (normalised) integral | | `dy/dx`, `df/dx` | derivative, upright differential d (ISO) | | `sin(x)` `cos(x)` `ln(x)` โ€ฆ | upright function names | | `abs(x)` | \|x\| | | `norm(v)` | โ€–vโ€– | | `vec(AB)` | โ†’AB (over-arrow vector) | | `floor(x)` `ceil(x)` | โŒŠxโŒ‹ โŒˆxโŒ‰ (integer part) | | `bar(z)`, `conj(z)` | zฬ„ (conjugate, mean, closure) | | `not(A cup B)` | (AโˆชB)โ€พ (logical negation, same overline) | | `lim(x->0) f(x)` | limit, `->` becomes the arrow, target under the word | | `partial`, `nabla` | โˆ‚, โˆ‡ (use `(partial f)/(partial x)` for โˆ‚f/โˆ‚x) | | `pi`, `alpha`, โ€ฆ | Greek letters | | `inf` | โˆž | The helpers nest, so the secondary-school staples come for free: `norm(vec(AB))` is the norm of a vector, `vec(AB) + vec(BC) = vec(AC)` is Chasles' relation. ### Sets, logic and relations From collรจge to the upper years a worksheet needs the standard notation. It is carried as plain words and ASCII shortcuts, so a statement reads as one types it. **Number sets** โ€” a doubled capital gives the blackboard-bold set (the ASCIIMath convention). Doubling avoids any clash with a one-letter variable: | You write | You get | |---|---| | `NN` `ZZ` `DD` `QQ` `RR` `CC` | โ„• โ„ค ๐”ป โ„š โ„ โ„‚ | | `PP` `KK` `HH` `FF` `EE` `UU` | โ„™ ๐•‚ โ„ ๐”ฝ ๐”ผ ๐•Œ (advanced) | **Quantifiers and logic** โ€” `forall` โˆ€, `exists` โˆƒ; connectives `and` โˆง, `or` โˆจ, `lnot` ยฌ, `neg` ยฌ. Implication and equivalence come both as words and as arrows: `=>` or `implies` โ‡’, `<=>` or `iff` โ‡” (inside a formula; in running prose double the chevrons as `<<=>>`). The longer arrow forms win over the comparison they contain, so `abs(x) <= 1 <=> -1 <= x <= 1` parses correctly. **Negation** โ€” one rule: `!` before a relation or quantifier negates it, picking the proper struck-through glyph. So `!in` is โˆ‰, `!exists` is โˆ„, `!subset` is โŠ„, `!subseteq` is โŠˆ, `!equiv` is โ‰ข. (`!=` stays "not equal", โ‰ .) **Set relations** โ€” `in` โˆˆ, `subset` โŠ‚, `supset` โŠƒ, `subseteq` โŠ†, `supseteq` โŠ‡, `cup` โˆช, `cap` โˆฉ, `setminus` โˆ–, `emptyset` โˆ… (negate any with `!`). **Arrows** โ€” `->` or `to` โ†’, `mapsto` โ†ฆ. ``` $forall epsilon > 0, exists eta > 0$ $x in RR setminus QQ$ $x !in QQ$ $(P and Q) => P$ ``` ### Brackets and accents The integer part and a few one-argument wrappers follow the same `name(...)` shape as `abs` and `vec`: `floor(x)` โŒŠxโŒ‹, `ceil(x)` โŒˆxโŒ‰, `set(x : x > 0)` a brace set, `abr(u, v)` โŸจu, vโŸฉ an inner product. An overline is named by intent โ€” the same rule under two words: `bar(...)` for the generic bar (complex conjugate, mean, closure of a set) and `not(...)` for logical negation, so `bar(z)` is zฬ„ and `not(A cup B)` is (AโˆชB)โ€พ. The usual accents complete the set: `hat(f)`, `tilde(x)`. ### Limits with an arrow `lim(x->0) f(x)` already sets a limit with its target under the word. For the running phrase "uโ‚™ tends to โ„“" written over an arrow, use `arrow(...)`: `u_n arrow(n to +inf) l` sets a long right arrow with the condition underneath. `to` and `->` are interchangeable inside it. ``` $lim(n -> +inf) u_n = l$ $u_n arrow(n to +inf) l$ ``` ### Operators with an index: sum, prod, lim `sum`, `prod` and `lim` carry their index in `(...)` and set their whole expression in display style, so a fraction in the body keeps full size and a limit's target sits **under** the word, as on a blackboard. The body runs to the end of the formula or to the first `=`: ``` $sum(i=1, n) i = n(n+1)/2$ $prod(k=1, n) k$ $lim(x->0) sin(x)/x = 1$ $lim(x->+inf) 1/x$ ``` ### Functions and trigonometry Function names are set upright automatically โ€” no backslashes. The set covers `sin cos tan cot sec csc`, the inverses `arcsin arccos arctan`, the hyperbolics `sinh cosh tanh coth`, and `ln log exp det dim gcd deg ker arg max min sup`. A name glued to `(...)` takes its argument as one atom, so fractions and powers behave: ``` $sin(x)^2 + cos(x)^2 = 1$ $cos(a+b) = cos(a)cos(b) - sin(a)sin(b)$ $tan(x) = sin(x)/cos(x)$ ``` ### Integrals The integral family writes its variable and bounds in the head `(...)` and captures the integrand as its body; the differential `\,dx` is appended automatically. No bounds gives a primitive, a comma-separated pair a definite integral: ``` $int(x) f(x)$ โˆซ f(x) dx $int(x=a, b) f(x)$ โˆซ from a to b of f(x) dx ``` **Multiple integrals** โ€” separate several domains with `;`. The count of domains chooses โˆซ, โˆฌ or โˆญ; the differentials come out in reverse order (Fubini): ``` $int(x=a, b ; y=c, d) f(x,y)$ โˆฌ โ€ฆ dy dx $int(x=a, b ; y=c, d ; z=e, g) f$ โˆญ โ€ฆ dz dy dx ``` A single named domain is a region integral: `int(D) f` gives โˆฌ_D f dฯ‰. **Named integrals**: `contourint(C) f(z)` is a contour integral โˆฎ, `pvint(x=a, b) f(x)` a Cauchy principal value, `meanint(x=a, b) f(x)` the average integral โจ. ### Derivatives A Leibniz derivative is written as the fraction it is, and the differential `d` is set upright (ISO 80000-2), matching the `d` of the integrals โ€” **only** when both sides of the fraction carry it, so a variable named `d` is never disturbed (`d/2` stays the fraction d over 2): ``` $dy/dx$ dy/dx, upright d $(d^2 y)/(dx^2)$ second derivative $dy/dx + y = 0$ a differential equation ``` Partial derivatives use `partial` (โˆ‚); parenthesise each side so the fraction groups correctly: ``` $(partial f)/(partial x)$ $(partial u)/(partial t) = (partial^2 u)/(partial x^2)$ ``` `nabla` (โˆ‡) is available for gradients and divergences. ### Maths blocks Matrices and systems are blocks: **one line is one row**, and inside a matrix `;` separates the entries. Every cell still goes through the mini-language. ``` <matrix>{ 1 ; 2 ; 3 4 ; 5 ; 6 } ``` `<matrix>` draws parentheses, `<det>` the bars of a determinant, `<bmatrix>` square brackets. A single `|` inside a row draws the bar of an **augmented matrix** (allowed on `matrix` and `bmatrix`, never on `det`). A `<system>` stacks equations under a brace, aligned on the first relational operator: ``` <system>{ 2x + 3y = 7 x - y = 1 } ``` Inject a computed value with `#{expr}` (or `#name`), including inside maths: `$#k^2$`. Decimal numbers follow the `lang` option. ### Advanced vocabulary For the upper years, the mini-language carries the named notation of probability, linear algebra and vector analysis. Each entry keeps the `name(...)` shape, and the rendering is the canonical LaTeX a textbook uses. **Counting and probability** โ€” the binomial coefficient and arrangement are recognised by their **two** arguments, so a one-argument `C(t)` stays an ordinary function. Probability and expectation are the doubled blackboard letters, with the conditional bar written `mid`: | You write | You get | |---|---| | `C(n, k)` | binomial coefficient โฝโฟโ‚–โพ | | `A(n, k)` | arrangement Aโ‚™แต | | `factorial(n)` or `n!` | n! | | `PP(A)`, `PP(A mid B)` | โ„™(A), โ„™(A โˆฃ B) | | `EE(X)` | ๐”ผ(X) | | `var(X)` `std(X)` `cov(X, Y)` | Var(X), ฯƒ(X), Cov(X, Y) | | `normal(mu, sigma)` | ๐’ฉ(ฮผ, ฯƒยฒ) | | `poisson(lambda)` | ๐’ซ(ฮป) | | `binomial(n, p)` | โ„ฌ(n, p) | | `repart(X, x)` `densite(X, x)` | F\_X(x), f\_X(x) | **Linear algebra** โ€” named operators on top of the matrix blocks: | You write | You get | |---|---| | `ker(f)` `im(f)` `rank(A)` | Ker(f), Im(f), rg(A) | | `span(u, v)` `tr(A)` `com(A)` | Span(u, v), tr(A), com(A) | | `transpose(A)` `inv(A)` | Aแต€, Aโปยน | | `eigen(A)` `adj(A)` | Sp(A) (spectrum), adj(A) | **Vector analysis and transforms** โ€” the differential operators, the Landau notations (spelt out so the letters `o`/`O` stay free), and the integral transforms: | You write | You get | |---|---| | `grad(f)` `div(F)` `curl(F)` | grad f, div F, rot F | | `lap(f)` | ฮ”f (prefixes its operand, no parentheses) | | `dirderiv(f, u)` | โˆ‡\_u f | | `bigO(...)` `litO(...)` | O(ยท), o(ยท) | | `laplace(f)` `fourier(f)` | โ„’{f}, โ„ฑ{f} | | `ilaplace(f)` `ifourier(f)` | โ„’โปยน{f}, โ„ฑโปยน{f} | | `surfint(S)` `volint(V)` `flux(F, S)` | โˆฏ\_S, โˆญ\_V, a flux | **Arithmetic, number theory and sets** โ€” and a few calculation templates: | You write | You get | |---|---| | `lcm(a, b)` `gcd(a, b)` `sign(x)` | lcm, gcd, sgn | | `card(A)` `powerset(A)` | card(A), ๐’ซ(A) | | `range(1, n)` | โŸฆ1, nโŸง (integer interval) | | `set(x mid x > 0)` | {x โˆฃ x > 0} (the keyword `mid` spaces the bar) | | `euler(n)` `mobius(n)` | ฯ†(n), ฮผ(n) | | `a equiv b mod n` | a โ‰ก b (mod n) | | `taylor(f, x, a, n)` | the Taylor form (template) | | `jacobian(f, n)` `hessian(f, n)` | the generic partial-derivative matrices | ``` $EE(X) = sum(k=1, n) k PP(X = k)$ $var(X) = EE(X^2) - EE(X)^2$ $dim(ker(f)) + rank(f) = dim(E)$ $lap(f) = div(grad(f))$ $flux(F, S) = volint(V) div(F)$ ``` --- ## Function studies Three tags turn a function into a variation table and a curve. They share one source of truth: a **function object** built once with `<fn>`, then read by `<vartab>` (the table) and `<plot>` (the graph). ### The function object: `<fn>` ``` let k = <fn name:{k(x)} expr:{(x^2+1)/(x-1)} x:{-inf | 1-sqrt(2) | 1 | 1+sqrt(2) | +inf} second:{- | - || + | +} deriv:{+ | - || - | +} var:{-inf / 2-2sqrt(2) \ -inf || +inf \ 2+2sqrt(2) / +inf}> ``` `let NAME = <fn โ€ฆ>` stores the object under `NAME` (the assignment may span several lines, up to the closing `>`). Fields: - `name:{k(x)}` โ€” the function and its variable; sets the row labels `x`, `k'(x)`, `k(x)` (and `k''(x)` when a second-derivative line shows). `name:{k}` alone uses `x`; omit `name:` for `f(x)`. - `expr:{โ€ฆ}` โ€” the formula, in the maths mini-language. **Read only by `<plot>`**; `<vartab>` ignores it. - `x:{โ€ฆ | โ€ฆ | โ€ฆ}` โ€” the remarkable abscissas, separated by `|`. - `deriv:{โ€ฆ}` โ€” the sign of the first derivative, one sign per interval. - `second:{โ€ฆ}` โ€” the sign of the second derivative (convexity), one per interval. Optional. - `var:{โ€ฆ}` โ€” the variation line (see below). ### The table: `<vartab>` `<vartab k>` reads the object `k`. Or write the data inline: `<vartab x:{โ€ฆ} deriv:{โ€ฆ} var:{โ€ฆ}>`. **Four shapes** are allowed, depending on which sign lines you give. Only `x:` and `var:` are required; `deriv:` and `second:` are each optional: | shape | fields | rows | |-------|--------|------| | full study | `second:` + `deriv:` | x, fโ€ณ(x), fโ€ฒ(x), f(x) | | classic variation | `deriv:` | x, fโ€ฒ(x), f(x) | | convexity only | `second:` | x, fโ€ณ(x), f(x) | | value table | neither | x, f(x) | `fโ€ณ` always sits above `fโ€ฒ`. The value table (no sign line) just joins the listed values by arrows. **Sign lines** (`deriv:`, `second:`) take one sign per interval: `+`, `-`, or empty. `||` (a double bar) marks a forbidden value (a pole): the bar crosses every row. Zeros at sign changes are placed automatically โ€” you don't write them. **The variation line** (`var:`) alternates value and connector. A connector is `/` (rising) or `\` (falling), **surrounded by spaces** โ€” glued, as in `2/3`, it is a fraction, not an arrow. `||` carries the two limits around a pole. Values may be numbers, `+inf`/`-inf`, or any maths expression (`2-2sqrt(2)`, `27/4`). Rules the table enforces: a value between two arrows of the **same** direction is rejected โ€” a variation table lists only bounds and extrema, never a point on a monotone branch (that point belongs on the plot). When `fโ€ณ` and `fโ€ฒ` show together, `x:` must list the **union** of their zeros, since all rows share the same columns. ### The graph: `<plot>` ``` <plot k samples:200 x:{-4, 6} y:{-10, 12}> ``` `<plot k>` reads `expr:` and `name:` from the object. Options: - `x:{a, b}` โ€” horizontal display window (comma between the two bounds). Defaults to the finite abscissas of the table. - `y:{c, d}` โ€” vertical window. Required when the function runs to infinity (a pole), so the view is framed. - `samples:N` โ€” number of points computed (default 100). `expr:` is translated to the plotter's syntax: the variable becomes the plotting variable, trigonometric calls get the degree conversion, and implicit products (`2x`, `2(x-1)`) become explicit. Poles are handled so no spurious vertical line joins the branches. Supported in `expr:`: `+ - * / ^`, parentheses, `sin cos tan exp ln log sqrt abs`, and `pi`. `<vartab>` is declarative, `<plot>` is computed. If `var:` does not match `expr:`, the table and the curve contradict each other silently โ€” keeping them consistent is yours to ensure. > Maths note: in prose use the mini-language spellings `!=`, `+-`, `>=`, `<=` (not `\neq`, `\pm`, โ€ฆ). Write `$f(x)$` to typeset a formula; an unbracketed `f(x)/x` parses as `f` times `(x)/x`, so phrase it as "the ratio of `$f(x)$` to `$x$`". --- ## Boxes ``` <box line:Crimson fill:MistyRose radius:4 title:{A note}>{ Content here. } ``` Options: `line:` frame colour, `fill:` background, `text:` text colour, `radius:N` rounded corners (mm), `width:N` or `width:N%`, `boxrule:N`, `boxsep:N`, `break:yes`, `title:{โ€ฆ}`, `titlefill:`, `titletext:`. A line containing only `---` splits a box into two regions. `<row gap:N>{ โ€ฆ }` lays its child boxes side by side, equal widths and equalised heights. A box also takes a two-letter placement code (`tl`โ€ฆ`br`, default `tl`); the vertical part needs a `height:` to act. --- ## Grid (named-area layout) For full-page layouts โ€” a worksheet header with a logo, a title bar, info fields, and a body โ€” `<grid>` borrows CSS Grid's named-area idea. A `template:[ โ€ฆ ]` of quoted rows draws the layout; each word names a cell. A name repeated horizontally spans columns, vertically spans rows; a dot `.` is empty. ``` <grid template:[ "title title logo" "intro info logo" "body body body" ] gap:4>{ <area title>{ <Red b 16pt>Maths assessment } <area logo >{ <img>{blason.png} } <area intro>{ Instructions: no calculator. } <area info >{ Name: \\ First name: } <area body >{ <s1>Exercise 1 Solve the equation... } } ``` An area can be framed like a box (`line:`, `fill:`, `radius:`, `title:`). The grid takes `width:` and `height:`; an area or the grid takes a two-letter placement code for content position within cells. --- ## Lists A list is `<list:STYLE>` โ€” the style follows the name, one item per line, no item tag: ``` <list:decimal>{ Read the instructions Underline the key words Write your answer } ``` Styles โ€” bullets: `none` `disc` `circle` `square`; numbered: `decimal` `alpha` `ALPHA` `roman` `ROMAN` (the case of the keyword sets the case of the letters); checkboxes: `check`. A list written under an item becomes its sub-list, nested as deep as you like. Text attributes on the tag wrap the whole list: `<list:ROMAN TIMES NEW ROMAN 12pt i>{ โ€ฆ }`. --- ## Block aliases Define a reusable component once; `#param` placeholders are filled at the call site, and the call-site body becomes the block content โ€” so it may contain sub-blocks of its own. ``` let card{title, frame} = <box title:{#title} line:#frame radius:2> <card First, Crimson>{ Called with two arguments. } <card Second, Navy>{ Same component, different look. } ``` --- ## Control flow ``` for n in 1..3 { <c Navy b>Sheet #n } for f in [chat.png, chien.png] { <img 16>{#f} } if score >= 10 { <Green>Passed. } else { <Red>Try again. } ``` Loops and conditions work in the document body, inside boxes, and inside table bodies. The loop variable interpolates everywhere via `#`. --- ## Escapes To print a character that scholatex treats specially, **double it**: `<<` `>>` `{{` `}}` `##` give a literal `<` `>` `{` `}` `#`. The backslash is an ordinary character โ€” a path like `C:\Users\Leo` or a regex `\d+\s*\w` prints verbatim, nothing to escape. The characters `_ & % ~` are escaped automatically. A line break inside a paragraph is the tag `<nextline>`. A line whose first non-space character is `%` is a comment. A bare `#` not followed by a name or `{โ€ฆ}` is a literal `#`. Braces carry structure, so a **literal brace must be balanced**: write the pair `{{โ€ฆ}}` to print `{โ€ฆ}`. A lone, unmatched `{{` or `}}` is reported as an unbalanced brace naming its line, rather than silently corrupting the surrounding block โ€” so set-builder notation like `{{ x : x > 0 }}` is written as a pair. Angle brackets and hashes need no such balancing; only braces do. --- ## Colour reference Every colour is written in **CamelCase** โ€” there is one rule and no lowercase shortcuts. The everyday colours are simply capitalised: `Red` `Blue` `Green` `Navy` `Orange` `Purple` `Teal` `Brown` `Gray`/`Grey` `Pink` `Yellow` `Black` `White` `Violet` `Cyan` `Magenta` `Lime` `Olive` `Aqua` `Silver` `Maroon`. For the full palette, write any of the **151 CSS / svgnames colours in CamelCase** (`<SteelBlue>{โ€ฆ}`, `fill:MistyRose`, `line:DarkOrange`). They are grouped below by family for browsing; all are valid anywhere a colour is expected (`line:` `fill:` `text:` and inline tags). **Reds & pinks** (14) โ€” `Brown`, `Crimson`, `DarkRed`, `FireBrick`, `IndianRed`, `LightCoral`, `LightPink`, `Maroon`, `MistyRose`, `Pink`, `Red`, `RosyBrown`, `Salmon`, `Tomato` **Oranges & browns** (23) โ€” `AntiqueWhite`, `Bisque`, `BlanchedAlmond`, `BurlyWood`, `Chocolate`, `Coral`, `DarkGoldenrod`, `DarkOrange`, `DarkSalmon`, `Goldenrod`, `LightSalmon`, `Moccasin`, `NavajoWhite`, `Orange`, `OrangeRed`, `PapayaWhip`, `PeachPuff`, `Peru`, `SaddleBrown`, `SandyBrown`, `Sienna`, `Tan`, `Wheat` **Yellows & golds** (11) โ€” `Cornsilk`, `DarkKhaki`, `Gold`, `Khaki`, `LemonChiffon`, `LightGoldenrod`, `LightGoldenrodYellow`, `LightYellow`, `Olive`, `PaleGoldenrod`, `Yellow` **Greens** (20) โ€” `Aquamarine`, `Chartreuse`, `DarkGreen`, `DarkOliveGreen`, `DarkSeaGreen`, `ForestGreen`, `Green`, `GreenYellow`, `LawnGreen`, `LightGreen`, `Lime`, `LimeGreen`, `MediumAquamarine`, `MediumSeaGreen`, `MediumSpringGreen`, `OliveDrab`, `PaleGreen`, `SeaGreen`, `SpringGreen`, `YellowGreen` **Cyans & teals** (17) โ€” `Aqua`, `CadetBlue`, `Cyan`, `DarkCyan`, `DarkSlateGray`, `DarkSlateGrey`, `DarkTurquoise`, `DeepSkyBlue`, `LightBlue`, `LightCyan`, `LightSeaGreen`, `MediumTurquoise`, `PaleTurquoise`, `PowderBlue`, `SkyBlue`, `Teal`, `Turquoise` **Blues** (21) โ€” `Blue`, `CornflowerBlue`, `DarkBlue`, `DarkSlateBlue`, `DodgerBlue`, `LightSkyBlue`, `LightSlateBlue`, `LightSlateGray`, `LightSlateGrey`, `LightSteelBlue`, `MediumBlue`, `MediumPurple`, `MediumSlateBlue`, `MidnightBlue`, `Navy`, `NavyBlue`, `RoyalBlue`, `SlateBlue`, `SlateGray`, `SlateGrey`, `SteelBlue` **Purples & violets** (17) โ€” `BlueViolet`, `DarkMagenta`, `DarkOrchid`, `DarkViolet`, `DeepPink`, `Fuchsia`, `HotPink`, `Indigo`, `Magenta`, `MediumOrchid`, `MediumVioletRed`, `Orchid`, `PaleVioletRed`, `Plum`, `Purple`, `Violet`, `VioletRed` **Grays** (10) โ€” `DarkGray`, `DarkGrey`, `DimGray`, `DimGrey`, `Gray`, `Grey`, `LightGray`, `LightGrey`, `Silver`, `Thistle` **Whites & off-whites** (17) โ€” `AliceBlue`, `Azure`, `Beige`, `FloralWhite`, `Gainsboro`, `GhostWhite`, `Honeydew`, `Ivory`, `Lavender`, `LavenderBlush`, `Linen`, `MintCream`, `OldLace`, `Seashell`, `Snow`, `White`, `WhiteSmoke` **Black** (1) โ€” `Black` These are exactly the colours xcolor provides under its `svgnames` option (the 147 CSS Color Module names plus the four X11 extras `LightGoldenrod`, `LightSlateBlue`, `NavyBlue` and `VioletRed`). Names are case-sensitive: write `Seashell`, not `SeaShell`. --- ## Security `scholatex` evaluates `let name = expr`, `#{expr}` and the conditions of `for`/`if`/`while` as Lua at compile time, so by default a document can run arbitrary code โ€” exactly like `\directlua`. Setting `untrusted=true` in `\documentclass[...]{scholatex}` runs that Lua in a restricted environment: only pure, side-effect-free names are visible; `os`, `io`, `package`, `require`, `load`, `debug` and other escape vectors are absent. A blocked access stops the compile with a clear message; a runaway loop is aborted by an instruction-count ceiling; `string.rep`/`string.format` are capped. ```latex \documentclass[untrusted=true]{scholatex} ``` `untrusted` hardens **the scholatex expression layer only**. It does not sandbox LuaLaTeX as a whole โ€” a hostile `.tex` can still call `\directlua`, `\write18`, `\input`. Use it when the scholatex **body** comes from a semi-trusted source while the surrounding `.tex` is your own; for a whole untrusted `.tex`, run `lualatex` without `--shell-escape`, ideally in a container. --- ## Examples The `examples/` folder contains six self-contained, fully commented documents that together exercise every feature: | File | Covers | |------|--------| | `text-style.tex` | the case rule, styles, colours, fonts, sizes, alignment, tabs, skips, scripts; **factoring styles into aliases**; a table of contents from the heading keywords | | `containers.tex` | tables, boxes and the named-area grid, each built up from its simplest form to a full worksheet header | | `basics.tex` | the inline mini-language, number sets, quantifiers and connectives, negation with `!`, set relations, the integer part, the overline, and arithmetic helpers | | `analysis.tex` | operators with an index, limits (including the `arrow` form), trigonometry, derivatives, the vector operators, the integral family, transforms | | `algebra.tex` | the matrix / determinant / augmented-matrix / system blocks, and the linear-algebra vocabulary | | `probability.tex` | counting, probability and expectation, variance, distributions, density | | `functions.tex` | full function studies โ€” `<fn>`, `<vartab>` and `<plot>` over polynomial, rational-with-horizontal-asymptote and rational-with-pole examples | Compile any of them with `lualatex <file>.tex` from the `examples/` folder. --- ## Project layout ``` scholatex.cls LaTeX class: options, packages, reads & injects the body scholatex.lua transpiler core: tags, text, control flow, aliases scholatex-style.lua attribute resolution (colours, styles, sizes, alignmentโ€ฆ) scholatex-math.lua the $โ€ฆ$ math mini-language (operators, integrals, functions, trig) scholatex-util.lua parsing primitives (groups, brace balance, comma split) scholatex-table.lua the <table> block scholatex-img.lua the <img> tag scholatex-box.lua the <box> and <row> blocks scholatex-grid.lua the <grid> named-area layout block scholatex-section.lua the <section>/<subsection>/<subsubsection> blocks scholatex-list.lua the <list:STYLE> block scholatex-matrix.lua the <matrix>/<det>/<bmatrix> and <system> blocks scholatex-vartab.lua the <fn> object, <vartab> table and <plot> curve scholatex-figure.lua the <draw> block: geometric figures, points and segments scholatex-toc.lua the <tableofcontents> tag examples/ six commented showcase documents ``` New tags register themselves via `scholatex.register_tag` / `scholatex.register_block`; a name clash raises an error rather than silently overwriting, so modules stay independent. --- ## Diagnostics Errors point at the source line, e.g. `scholatex: line 12: unknown tag attribute: 'xyz'`. Defining an alias whose name is a built-in (`let section = โ€ฆ`) prints a warning: the built-in always wins, so the alias would be silently dead โ€” pick a different name. --- ## What's new ### 2.3 - **Figure drawing: the `<draw>` block** โ€” a plane figure is described, not hand-placed. Name the shape and give its measurements; the coordinates are computed trigonometrically and emitted as hard numbers. One drawing unit is one centimetre, so `side:5` draws a 5 cm side. - **Triangles** by any classical definition โ€” `equilateral`, `isosceles`, `right` (right angle at the first point, or `right:X`), three sides `sides:(a,b,c)`, two sides and the included angle `sides:(a,b) angle:t`, two angles and a side `angles:(A,B) side:c`, or three sides named one by one (`AB:3 BC:4 CA:5`). - **Quadrilaterals** โ€” `square`, `rectangle`, `rhombus`, `parallelogram`, `trapezoid`, and `kite` (two pairs of adjacent equal sides, the rhombus being the case where both pairs are equal). - **Regular polygons** by name from the pentagon up (`pentagon`, `hexagon`, `octagon`), or `polygon` with as many points as given. - **Circles** by centre and `radius:r` or `diameter:d` (the radius optionally a placed segment, `radius:AB`); `circle ABC` is the circumscribed circle of three placed points, with `inscribed` for the incircle. - **Coding and measurement** โ€” `marks:on` codes equal sides and right angles; `measures:cm` / `measures:mm` labels each side with its length. Both are opt-in. When a figure has two pairs of equal sides of different lengths (kite, rectangle, parallelogram), the pairs are told apart by their tick count โ€” a single tick on one pair, a double tick on the other โ€” so a kite never reads as a rhombus. - **Composite figures** โ€” several figures in one block share their points; a figure repeating a point is grafted onto it, and a figure sharing an edge deduces that edge's length and is flipped to the far side so the pieces abut. A shared edge is labelled once and ticked once, not twice. - **Multi-character point names** โ€” besides the glued single letters (`triangle ABC`), a parenthesised comma-separated list names multi-character points: `triangle (O, A0, B0)`. - **Loops, interpolation and rotation inside `<draw>`** โ€” the same `for VARIABLE in FROM..TO { โ€ฆ }` loops as the rest of the language; `#k` and `#{expr}` interpolate point names and measurements; `rotate:ฮธ` turns a figure about its first point and `labels:off` hides the vertex names โ€” enough to fan, rosette or step figures round a centre. - **Low-level primitives `point` and `line`** โ€” `point(P)` places a dot at coordinates declared with `let P = {x, y}`; `line(A, B)` draws a segment between two points (names or literal `{x, y}` pairs), taking `measures:` like a figure side. As each coordinate is an ordinary expression, a loop can compute endpoints โ€” the building block for free-form drawings. - **Examples** โ€” a new `geometry` showcase covers the inline geometry vocabulary and the full `<draw>` block. ### 2.2 - **Probability and statistics** โ€” the blackboard operators `PP(...)` โ„™ and `EE(...)` ๐”ผ (with `PP(A mid B)` for a conditional), spread (`var`, `std`, `cov`), distributions (`normal`, `poisson`, `binomial`), and the distribution/density functions (`repart`, `densite`). - **Counting** โ€” the binomial coefficient `C(n, k)` and arrangement `A(n, k)`, recognised by their two arguments so a one-argument `C(t)` stays a function; the factorial `factorial(n)` or `n!`. - **Linear-algebra vocabulary** โ€” `ker`, `im`, `rank`, `span`, `tr`, `com`, `eigen` (the spectrum), `adj`, with `transpose(A)` โ†’ Aแต€ and `inv(A)` โ†’ Aโปยน. - **Vector analysis** โ€” `grad`, `div`, `curl`, the Laplacian `lap(f)` ฮ”f, the directional derivative `dirderiv(f, u)`, the Landau notations `bigO`/`litO`, the transforms `laplace`/`fourier` and their inverses, and the surface/volume integrals `surfint`/`volint`/`flux`. - **Number theory and helpers** โ€” `euler` ฯ†, `mobius` ฮผ, congruence `a equiv b mod n`, plus `lcm`, `sign`, `card`, `powerset`, the integer interval `range(1, n)` โŸฆ1, nโŸง, the keyword `mid` for a spaced bar, and the templates `taylor`, `jacobian`, `hessian`. - **Fixes** โ€” a parenthesised group over a fraction now grows to full height (`(a/b)^2`); higher-order differentials `d^2y/dx^2` set the upright d throughout; plot tick numbers stay readable where a curve crosses an axis, and the axis arrow clears the last graduation. - **Examples by domain** โ€” the maths showcase now mirrors the manual's four categories: `basics`, `algebra`, `analysis` (which holds the function studies) and `probability`. ### 2.1 - **Mathematical vocabulary** โ€” number sets in blackboard bold (`NN` `ZZ` `DD` `QQ` `RR` `CC`, plus `PP` `KK` `HH` `FF` `EE` `UU`), quantifiers and connectives (`forall` `exists` `and` `or` `lnot` `neg`), implication and equivalence as words or arrows (`=>`/`implies`, `<=>`/`iff`), set relations (`in` `subset` `cup` `cap` `setminus` `emptyset` โ€ฆ), the integer part (`floor` `ceil` `round`), and accents (`bar`/`conj` for the conjugate-mean-closure overline, `not` for logical negation, `hat` `tilde`). - **Negation with a single `!`** โ€” `!` in front of a relation or quantifier negates it with the proper struck-through glyph: `!in` โˆ‰, `!exists` โˆ„, `!subset` โŠ„, `!subseteq` โŠˆ, `!equiv` โ‰ข. `!=` stays "not equal". - **Limit arrow** โ€” `arrow(n to +inf)` sets a long right arrow with its condition underneath, for the "uโ‚™ โ†’ l" phrasing in running maths. - **Colours are CamelCase only** *(breaking change)* โ€” the lowercase keywords (`red`, `navy`, โ€ฆ) are removed; write the CamelCase form (`Red`, `Navy`). One rule for all 151 colours. A lowercase colour now raises an error that names the CamelCase replacement. - **Function studies** โ€” three new tags for analysis: `<fn>` builds a function object (name, formula, abscissas, derivative signs, variation), `<vartab>` renders its variation table, `<plot>` draws its curve (via pgfplots, with pole handling). The table comes in four shapes โ€” full (fโ€ณ, fโ€ฒ, f), classic (fโ€ฒ, f), convexity (fโ€ณ, f), or a plain value table (f) โ€” since the two derivative lines are independent and optional. - **Section numbering styles** โ€” `num`, `roman`, `ROMAN`, `alpha`, `ALPHA` set the counter style of a heading level on its own, with no inherited prefix; the default stays hierarchical. - **Examples reorganised** โ€” the showcase set is now `text-style`, `containers`, `math-language`, `math-analysis`, `math-algebra` and `functions` (the old single `03-math` is split by topic). ### 2.0 - **New escape rules** *(breaking change)* โ€” to print a special character, double it: `<<` `>>` `{{` `}}` `##` give a literal `<` `>` `{` `}` `#`. A backslash is now an ordinary character (so `C:\Users` just works); it is no longer an escape. The old `\<` `\>` `\{` `\}` `\#` forms no longer apply. - **Line break is a tag** *(breaking change)* โ€” use `<nextline>` (in text and table cells) instead of the old `\\`. In running text a blank line already starts a new paragraph, so `<nextline>` is only for a break without a paragraph change. ### 1.2 - **Script/fraction precedence fix** โ€” `^` and `_` now bind tighter than `/`, so `x^2/y` renders as the fraction of `x^2` over `y` (and `1/i^2` as `1` over `i^2`), matching ordinary mathematical reading - **Automatic spacing for tall lines** โ€” consecutive lines containing fractions or integrals no longer touch; TeX inserts just enough air where needed, leaving ordinary text unchanged ### 1.1 - **Maths expansion** โ€” full integral family (`int`, multiple integrals with Fubini ordering, `contourint`, `pvint`, `meanint`), upright functions and trigonometry, Leibniz and partial derivatives with ISO 80000-2 upright differentials - **Operators in display style** โ€” `sum`, `prod`, `lim` keep fractions full-size and place limits under the word - **Full colour parity** โ€” all 151 xcolor svgnames colours recognised, grouped by family in the [reference](#colour-reference) - **Cross-platform install** โ€” documented `tlmgr` and manual paths for macOS, Linux and Windows --- ## Acknowledgments `scholatex` is built on excellent LaTeX packages: - [tcolorbox](https://ctan.org/pkg/tcolorbox) โ€” framed boxes and posters - [tabularray](https://ctan.org/pkg/tabularray) โ€” reliable 2-D table layout - [unicode-math](https://ctan.org/pkg/unicode-math) โ€” OpenType maths - [fontspec](https://ctan.org/pkg/fontspec) โ€” system fonts in LuaLaTeX - [xcolor](https://ctan.org/pkg/xcolor) โ€” the svgnames colour palette --- ## License Copyright ยฉ 2026 Gรฉrard Dubard. `scholatex` is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the **GNU General Public License version 3** (or later) as published by the Free Software Foundation. See the [`LICENSE`](LICENSE) file for the full text. This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.