Re: Advice on WinEdt/MiKTeX on a Windows 7?

[email protected] wrote:
> I am looking for advice on how to set up WinEdt/MiKTeX on a Windows 7
> system. I have had it running for a while, but there is something peculiar
> about the directory structure.

What is peculiar about it?

> I need to be able to run either TeX or LaTeX. I'd like to keep macro
> packages (e g, amsmath) in one directory,

This would happen by default, assuming you're installing MiKTeX's amsmath package? MiKTeX will install all of its packages into its installation directory (or one in your profile, if you're not installing as Admin)

> my own macro packages in another,

Create a directory (say "texmf") somewhere and create a directory in that called "tex". Place your macros either in the tex directory, or in a new directory inside tex. Then add the "texmf" directory as a root in the "Roots" tab of the MiKTeX Settings. MiKTeX will refresh the FNDB at this point for you.

> and my TeX sources in several others (I organize them by project).

As long as all the files for each document are in the same directory, this is fine. 

> The LaTeX macros and style files would be in their own directory.

You need to ensure that all the files for a document are in the same directory, or you'll need to add each one as a root in MiKTeX options or use the -include-directory= option every time you run (la)tex.

Having the stylesheet for a specific document in a separate directory from the document itself is a very strange thing to do (unless the stylesheet is shared between multiple documents - in which case, put it in your main texmf root).

> It's important to me that I do not have to refresh the filename database
> or change root directories except occasionally.

You will only need to refresh the FNDB when you add or delete a file from your texmf directory (if you edit a file, this doesn't matter - the FNDB already knew it was there).

HTH,


David

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dive into the World of Parallel Programming The Go Parallel Website, sponsored
by Intel and developed in partnership with Slashdot Media, is your hub for all
things parallel software development, from weekly thought leadership blogs to
news, videos, case studies, tutorials and more. Take a look and join the 
conversation now. http://goparallel.sourceforge.net/