About MiKTeX
| Chapter 1. Introduction |

## About MiKTeX

MiKTeX (pronounced mik-tech) is an up-to-date implementation of TeX and related programs for Windows (all current variants). TeX is a typesetting system invented by D. E. Knuth.

MiKTeX's main features include:

- easy to install

- integrated package management: missing packages can be installed automatically (on-the-fly) during run-time

- network friendly: MiKTeX can be run directly from a shared and read-only network directory

- complete: the MiKTeX distribution contains almost all packages that are freely redistributable.

- enhanced TeX compiler capabilities

- enhanced previewer capabilities: forward/inverse DVI search, graphics, color, magnifying glass, …

- open source: MiKTeX source code is get-at-able for everyone

The MiKTeX distribution consists of the following components:

TeX, METAFONT, TeXware, METAFONTware, Computer Modern Fonts

  the base TeX system

pdfTeX, XeTeX, Omega, NTS

  various TeX derivatives

MetaPost

  a METAFONT derivative for the creation of PostScript figures

Dvipdfm

  converts TeX output into PDF documents

macro packages

  almost all free TeX macro packages

fonts

  almost all free fonts

Yap

  a sophisticated viewer for TeX output

TeXify

  a TeX compiler driver

MiKTeX Options

  assists in configuring MiKTeX

MiKTeX Update Wizard

  assists in keeping the MiKTeX system up-to-date

lots of utilities

  tools for the creation of bibliographies & indexes, PostScript utilities, and more

Chapter 1. Introduction |  | How to Get MiKTeX