Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Georg Baum]

Liviu Andronic wrote:

 On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 10:11 PM, Georg Baum
 georg.b...@post.rwth-aachen.de wrote:
 Ian wrote:

 Thanks Liviu. Inserting a Child document .tex file was exactly what I
 wanted to do. I just didn't know what it was called.

 Except for the fact that it is not automatically updated if the STATA
 file changes.

 If the content of the child .tex file changes, doesn't LyX
 automatically reflect those changes when recompiling the LyX document?

Yes it does. However, LyX does not recognize that the .tex file itself needs 
to be regenerated when the STATA file changes. The latter would be possible 
with an external inset.


Georg

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Georg Baum]

Liviu Andronic wrote:

 On Fri, Jul 10, 2015 at 11:23 AM, José Matos jama...@lyx.org wrote:
 On Thursday 09 July 2015 23:19:07 Liviu Andronic wrote:
 Perhaps we should consider renaming it to something like: Child
 Document (TeX or LyX)?

 Liviu

 Note that a child document can also be a programming listings or any
 other file to be included verbatim. :-)

 Absolutely, yet our naming is so terse so as to prove confusing.

Yes, it is confusing. The reason why the menu items are as they are is the 
implementation in three different insets: Include inset, graphics inset and 
external inset. However the functionality of those insets overlaps, and 
there is a very old plan to get rid of the graphics inset in favour of the 
external inset. We need some volunteers;-)

 Maybe
 we need a tooltip there, or a status message appearing when hovering
 the item, or something else. Otherwise people simply won't really know
 what that item is supposed to do, or worse assume that LyX is unable
 to do this at all (when it does!). I know RTFM would be one way to
 approach this, but maybe there is something we can do to ease
 confusion... Say, and yet another shot in the dark: Include Child
 Document (.tex, .lyx, etc.)

I guess it should be possible to rework the menu items independently of the 
insets, but I hjave no good idea myself.


Georg

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Georg Baum]

Liviu Andronic wrote:

 On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 10:11 PM, Georg Baum
 georg.b...@post.rwth-aachen.de wrote:
 Ian wrote:

 Thanks Liviu. Inserting a Child document .tex file was exactly what I
 wanted to do. I just didn't know what it was called.

 Except for the fact that it is not automatically updated if the STATA
 file changes.

 If the content of the child .tex file changes, doesn't LyX
 automatically reflect those changes when recompiling the LyX document?

Yes it does. However, LyX does not recognize that the .tex file itself needs 
to be regenerated when the STATA file changes. The latter would be possible 
with an external inset.


Georg

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Georg Baum]

Liviu Andronic wrote:

 On Fri, Jul 10, 2015 at 11:23 AM, José Matos jama...@lyx.org wrote:
 On Thursday 09 July 2015 23:19:07 Liviu Andronic wrote:
 Perhaps we should consider renaming it to something like: Child
 Document (TeX or LyX)?

 Liviu

 Note that a child document can also be a programming listings or any
 other file to be included verbatim. :-)

 Absolutely, yet our naming is so terse so as to prove confusing.

Yes, it is confusing. The reason why the menu items are as they are is the 
implementation in three different insets: Include inset, graphics inset and 
external inset. However the functionality of those insets overlaps, and 
there is a very old plan to get rid of the graphics inset in favour of the 
external inset. We need some volunteers;-)

 Maybe
 we need a tooltip there, or a status message appearing when hovering
 the item, or something else. Otherwise people simply won't really know
 what that item is supposed to do, or worse assume that LyX is unable
 to do this at all (when it does!). I know RTFM would be one way to
 approach this, but maybe there is something we can do to ease
 confusion... Say, and yet another shot in the dark: Include Child
 Document (.tex, .lyx, etc.)

I guess it should be possible to rework the menu items independently of the 
insets, but I hjave no good idea myself.


Georg

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Georg Baum]

Liviu Andronic wrote:

> On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 10:11 PM, Georg Baum
>  wrote:
>> Ian wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks Liviu. Inserting a Child document .tex file was exactly what I
>>> wanted to do. I just didn't know what it was called.
>>
>> Except for the fact that it is not automatically updated if the STATA
>> file changes.
>>
> If the content of the child .tex file changes, doesn't LyX
> automatically reflect those changes when recompiling the LyX document?

Yes it does. However, LyX does not recognize that the .tex file itself needs 
to be regenerated when the STATA file changes. The latter would be possible 
with an external inset.


Georg

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Georg Baum]

Liviu Andronic wrote:

> On Fri, Jul 10, 2015 at 11:23 AM, José Matos  wrote:
>> On Thursday 09 July 2015 23:19:07 Liviu Andronic wrote:
>>> Perhaps we should consider renaming it to something like: "Child
>>> Document (TeX or LyX)"?
>>>
>>> Liviu
>>
>> Note that a child document can also be a programming listings or any
>> other file to be included verbatim. :-)
>>
> Absolutely, yet our naming is so terse so as to prove confusing.

Yes, it is confusing. The reason why the menu items are as they are is the 
implementation in three different insets: Include inset, graphics inset and 
external inset. However the functionality of those insets overlaps, and 
there is a very old plan to get rid of the graphics inset in favour of the 
external inset. We need some volunteers;-)

> Maybe
> we need a tooltip there, or a status message appearing when hovering
> the item, or something else. Otherwise people simply won't really know
> what that item is supposed to do, or worse assume that LyX is unable
> to do this at all (when it does!). I know RTFM would be one way to
> approach this, but maybe there is something we can do to ease
> confusion... Say, and yet another shot in the dark: "Include Child
> Document (.tex, .lyx, etc.)"

I guess it should be possible to rework the menu items independently of the 
insets, but I hjave no good idea myself.


Georg

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[José Matos]

On Thursday 09 July 2015 23:19:07 Liviu Andronic wrote:
 Perhaps we should consider renaming it to something like: Child
 Document (TeX or LyX)?
 
 Liviu

Note that a child document can also be a programming listings or any other file 
to be included verbatim. :-)

-- 
José Abílio

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Liviu Andronic]

On Fri, Jul 10, 2015 at 11:23 AM, José Matos jama...@lyx.org wrote:
 On Thursday 09 July 2015 23:19:07 Liviu Andronic wrote:
 Perhaps we should consider renaming it to something like: Child
 Document (TeX or LyX)?

 Liviu

 Note that a child document can also be a programming listings or any other 
 file to be included verbatim. :-)

Absolutely, yet our naming is so terse so as to prove confusing. Maybe
we need a tooltip there, or a status message appearing when hovering
the item, or something else. Otherwise people simply won't really know
what that item is supposed to do, or worse assume that LyX is unable
to do this at all (when it does!). I know RTFM would be one way to
approach this, but maybe there is something we can do to ease
confusion... Say, and yet another shot in the dark: Include Child
Document (.tex, .lyx, etc.)

Cheers,
Liviu



 --
 José Abílio



-- 
Do you think you know what math is?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/ian-stewart-2013-08-02
Or what it means to be intelligent?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/john-duncan-2013-08-30
Think again:
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/library

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[José Matos]

On Thursday 09 July 2015 23:19:07 Liviu Andronic wrote:
 Perhaps we should consider renaming it to something like: Child
 Document (TeX or LyX)?
 
 Liviu

Note that a child document can also be a programming listings or any other file 
to be included verbatim. :-)

-- 
José Abílio

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Liviu Andronic]

On Fri, Jul 10, 2015 at 11:23 AM, José Matos jama...@lyx.org wrote:
 On Thursday 09 July 2015 23:19:07 Liviu Andronic wrote:
 Perhaps we should consider renaming it to something like: Child
 Document (TeX or LyX)?

 Liviu

 Note that a child document can also be a programming listings or any other 
 file to be included verbatim. :-)

Absolutely, yet our naming is so terse so as to prove confusing. Maybe
we need a tooltip there, or a status message appearing when hovering
the item, or something else. Otherwise people simply won't really know
what that item is supposed to do, or worse assume that LyX is unable
to do this at all (when it does!). I know RTFM would be one way to
approach this, but maybe there is something we can do to ease
confusion... Say, and yet another shot in the dark: Include Child
Document (.tex, .lyx, etc.)

Cheers,
Liviu



 --
 José Abílio



-- 
Do you think you know what math is?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/ian-stewart-2013-08-02
Or what it means to be intelligent?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/john-duncan-2013-08-30
Think again:
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/library

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[José Matos]

On Thursday 09 July 2015 23:19:07 Liviu Andronic wrote:
> Perhaps we should consider renaming it to something like: "Child
> Document (TeX or LyX)"?
> 
> Liviu

Note that a child document can also be a programming listings or any other file 
to be included verbatim. :-)

-- 
José Abílio

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Liviu Andronic]

On Fri, Jul 10, 2015 at 11:23 AM, José Matos  wrote:
> On Thursday 09 July 2015 23:19:07 Liviu Andronic wrote:
>> Perhaps we should consider renaming it to something like: "Child
>> Document (TeX or LyX)"?
>>
>> Liviu
>
> Note that a child document can also be a programming listings or any other 
> file to be included verbatim. :-)
>
Absolutely, yet our naming is so terse so as to prove confusing. Maybe
we need a tooltip there, or a status message appearing when hovering
the item, or something else. Otherwise people simply won't really know
what that item is supposed to do, or worse assume that LyX is unable
to do this at all (when it does!). I know RTFM would be one way to
approach this, but maybe there is something we can do to ease
confusion... Say, and yet another shot in the dark: "Include Child
Document (.tex, .lyx, etc.)"

Cheers,
Liviu



> --
> José Abílio



-- 
Do you think you know what math is?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/ian-stewart-2013-08-02
Or what it means to be intelligent?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/john-duncan-2013-08-30
Think again:
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/library

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Georg Baum]

Steve Litt wrote:

 On Wed, 8 Jul 2015 06:24:52 + (UTC)
 Ian iank...@gmail.com wrote:
 
 Hi
 
 I want to automatically update latex code embedded in a LyX document
 that was produced as output from another program, in my case STATA.
 The Latex code contains table commands.
 
 The concept is similar to handling graphics in LyX: Insert  Graphic
  (attach file). If I change the graphic file content, keeping the
  file name
 and location the same, the graphic image will automatically update in
 LyX. I want to do the same thing, but with a .tex file in which
 contains the Latex code for a table produced by STATA. The .tex file
 name and location remain constant, but the content changes.
 
 I am sure this is an easy thing, but I just can't seem to find it on
 the web forums.

This is possible: LyX has a mechanism called external templates which can 
be seen as a generalization of the graphics inset: With an external 
template, you can tell LyX what it needs to do to convert your STATA file 
into LaTeX, and you also tell it how this LaTeX is to be included in the LyX 
document. The only requirement for this to work is that your application (or 
any other tool) allows to convert to LaTeX from the command line.

If you want to use this feature, you need to do two things:

1) Define a new external template for STATA as explained in chapter 6 6 
Including External Material in the Customization Manual. This neds to be 
once, and if you need help don't hesitate to ask on the list.

2) Each time you want to include  a STATA output, you use Insert - File - 
External Material.


 I do that kind of stuff all the time. The trick is to put some kind of
 an unmistakable token in your LyX doc. Then make a shellscript that
 cats your LyX into a script (I'd probably use AWK, your mileage may
 vary) to replace the token with the desired LaTeX, and then redirect
 the script's output to another LyX file. LyX --export latex
 tempfile.lyx;pdflatex tempfile.tex.

This is certainly technically interesting, but I would not recommend such a 
procedure to the original poster, since the builtin mechanism does not need 
those helper scripts, and all the export/view buttons in LyX do just work.


Georg

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Georg Baum]

Ian wrote:

 Thanks Liviu. Inserting a Child document .tex file was exactly what I
 wanted to do. I just didn't know what it was called.

Except for the fact that it is not automatically updated if the STATA file 
changes.


Georg

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Georg Baum]

Benedict Holland wrote:

 If you have generated the tex file in Stata, use ERT. It is much easier.

I am curious: What is easier if you include the file via ERT than with a 
child document? Note that I do not mean to convert the child document to LyX 
format, since LyX also allows to include child documents in LaTeX format.

 The command you want to look up is \input as in \input{table.tex}. This is
 the only way I generate, edit, and include tables now. This should also be
 the command that lyx uses... either that or include but I assume input
 would be a better use in this situation. I also use another application to
 edit the .tex because I need spell checking.

If you insert the .tex file as a child document you can do this as well: The 
child inset context menu provides an edit entry which fires up the .tex file 
in your favourite editor. I cannot imagine any easier way to reference child 
document in LaTeX format.


Georg

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Liviu Andronic]

On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 10:11 PM, Georg Baum
georg.b...@post.rwth-aachen.de wrote:
 Ian wrote:

 Thanks Liviu. Inserting a Child document .tex file was exactly what I
 wanted to do. I just didn't know what it was called.

 Except for the fact that it is not automatically updated if the STATA file
 changes.

If the content of the child .tex file changes, doesn't LyX
automatically reflect those changes when recompiling the LyX document?

Liviu



 Georg





-- 
Do you think you know what math is?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/ian-stewart-2013-08-02
Or what it means to be intelligent?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/john-duncan-2013-08-30
Think again:
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/library

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Liviu Andronic]

On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 10:17 PM, Georg Baum
georg.b...@post.rwth-aachen.de wrote:
 Benedict Holland wrote:

 If you have generated the tex file in Stata, use ERT. It is much easier.

 I am curious: What is easier if you include the file via ERT than with a
 child document? Note that I do not mean to convert the child document to LyX
 format, since LyX also allows to include child documents in LaTeX format.

I suspect this is simply reflects a misunderstanding relating to the
naming of our Insert  File  Child Document... menu item. For
example, when answering this question I had to repeatedly look closely
in the Insert menu since I was looking for Insert  File  TeX
Document..., and there is obviously none such item. Then I looked
several times at External Material, but to my bemusement there was no
TeX entry there. So by trial and error I realized that Child Document
was the winner.

Perhaps we should consider renaming it to something like: Child
Document (TeX or LyX)?

Liviu


 The command you want to look up is \input as in \input{table.tex}. This is
 the only way I generate, edit, and include tables now. This should also be
 the command that lyx uses... either that or include but I assume input
 would be a better use in this situation. I also use another application to
 edit the .tex because I need spell checking.

 If you insert the .tex file as a child document you can do this as well: The
 child inset context menu provides an edit entry which fires up the .tex file
 in your favourite editor. I cannot imagine any easier way to reference child
 document in LaTeX format.


 Georg





-- 
Do you think you know what math is?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/ian-stewart-2013-08-02
Or what it means to be intelligent?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/john-duncan-2013-08-30
Think again:
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/library

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Steve Litt]

On Thu, 09 Jul 2015 22:10:35 +0200
Georg Baum georg.b...@post.rwth-aachen.de wrote:

 Steve Litt wrote:
 
  On Wed, 8 Jul 2015 06:24:52 + (UTC)
  Ian iank...@gmail.com wrote:
  
  Hi
  
  I want to automatically update latex code embedded in a LyX
  document that was produced as output from another program, in my
  case STATA. The Latex code contains table commands.
  
  The concept is similar to handling graphics in LyX: Insert 
  Graphic
   (attach file). If I change the graphic file content, keeping the
   file name
  and location the same, the graphic image will automatically update
  in LyX. I want to do the same thing, but with a .tex file in which
  contains the Latex code for a table produced by STATA. The .tex
  file name and location remain constant, but the content changes.
  
  I am sure this is an easy thing, but I just can't seem to find it
  on the web forums.
 
 This is possible: LyX has a mechanism called external templates
 which can be seen as a generalization of the graphics inset: With an
 external template, you can tell LyX what it needs to do to convert
 your STATA file into LaTeX, and you also tell it how this LaTeX is to
 be included in the LyX document. The only requirement for this to
 work is that your application (or any other tool) allows to convert
 to LaTeX from the command line.
 
 If you want to use this feature, you need to do two things:
 
 1) Define a new external template for STATA as explained in chapter 6
 6 Including External Material in the Customization Manual. This
 neds to be once, and if you need help don't hesitate to ask on the
 list.
 
 2) Each time you want to include  a STATA output, you use Insert -
 File - External Material.
 
 
  I do that kind of stuff all the time. The trick is to put some kind
  of an unmistakable token in your LyX doc. Then make a shellscript
  that cats your LyX into a script (I'd probably use AWK, your
  mileage may vary) to replace the token with the desired LaTeX, and
  then redirect the script's output to another LyX file. LyX --export
  latex tempfile.lyx;pdflatex tempfile.tex.
 
 This is certainly technically interesting, but I would not recommend
 such a procedure to the original poster, since the builtin mechanism
 does not need those helper scripts, and all the export/view buttons
 in LyX do just work.

I'm not so sure it I wouldn't recommend it for the Original Poster
(OP). I've been using these techniques for years, and they amount to a
1 click (or menu choice or command) complete process. It could be
automated to do every hour on the hour with no point and click
intervention. It doesn't depend on LyX features and won't break if LyX
changes its internal way of doing stuff. It's very simple to
troubleshoot, given that there's an intermediate file. And it's dead
bang easy for anyone who can script Python at all.

I think it boils down to a philosophical point. Some folks believe
strongly in never reinventing the wheel. I certainly use a lot of
wheels as-is, but I always resist incorporating a wheel if all I need
is one little spoke. Dependencies, even on something you've already
incorporated, have a cost.

I have scripts that create personalized eBooks, with the buyer's name
in the footers, and some other security features I can't discuss. I
make and ship these several times a day, and all I need to do is tell
my converter which books to convert, the person's name, and bang, it
makes all the eBooks in the order. LyX's only involvement is in a
shellscript using its --export feature.

If the OP can do simple scripting, I'd personally recommend
preprocessing over LyX-centric ways of doing it, if the LyX-centric
ways are complex, time consuming (in a point and click sense), or
likely to change with a future LyX version.

SteveT

Steve Litt 
July 2015 featured book: Rapid Learning for the 21st Century
http://www.troubleshooters.com/rl21

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Richard Heck]

On 07/09/2015 05:19 PM, Liviu Andronic wrote:

On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 10:17 PM, Georg Baum
georg.b...@post.rwth-aachen.de wrote:

Benedict Holland wrote:


If you have generated the tex file in Stata, use ERT. It is much easier.

I am curious: What is easier if you include the file via ERT than with a
child document? Note that I do not mean to convert the child document to LyX
format, since LyX also allows to include child documents in LaTeX format.


I suspect this is simply reflects a misunderstanding relating to the
naming of our Insert  File  Child Document... menu item. For
example, when answering this question I had to repeatedly look closely
in the Insert menu since I was looking for Insert  File  TeX
Document..., and there is obviously none such item. Then I looked
several times at External Material, but to my bemusement there was no
TeX entry there. So by trial and error I realized that Child Document
was the winner.

Perhaps we should consider renaming it to something like: Child
Document (TeX or LyX)?


I second this suggestion, generally speaking. But perhaps we should 
really have two different

menu items, or ?

Richard

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Liviu Andronic]

On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 10:11 PM, Georg Baum
georg.b...@post.rwth-aachen.de wrote:
 Ian wrote:

 Thanks Liviu. Inserting a Child document .tex file was exactly what I
 wanted to do. I just didn't know what it was called.

 Except for the fact that it is not automatically updated if the STATA file
 changes.

If the content of the child .tex file changes, doesn't LyX
automatically reflect those changes when recompiling the LyX document?

Liviu



 Georg





-- 
Do you think you know what math is?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/ian-stewart-2013-08-02
Or what it means to be intelligent?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/john-duncan-2013-08-30
Think again:
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/library

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Liviu Andronic]

On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 10:17 PM, Georg Baum
georg.b...@post.rwth-aachen.de wrote:
 Benedict Holland wrote:

 If you have generated the tex file in Stata, use ERT. It is much easier.

 I am curious: What is easier if you include the file via ERT than with a
 child document? Note that I do not mean to convert the child document to LyX
 format, since LyX also allows to include child documents in LaTeX format.

I suspect this is simply reflects a misunderstanding relating to the
naming of our Insert  File  Child Document... menu item. For
example, when answering this question I had to repeatedly look closely
in the Insert menu since I was looking for Insert  File  TeX
Document..., and there is obviously none such item. Then I looked
several times at External Material, but to my bemusement there was no
TeX entry there. So by trial and error I realized that Child Document
was the winner.

Perhaps we should consider renaming it to something like: Child
Document (TeX or LyX)?

Liviu


 The command you want to look up is \input as in \input{table.tex}. This is
 the only way I generate, edit, and include tables now. This should also be
 the command that lyx uses... either that or include but I assume input
 would be a better use in this situation. I also use another application to
 edit the .tex because I need spell checking.

 If you insert the .tex file as a child document you can do this as well: The
 child inset context menu provides an edit entry which fires up the .tex file
 in your favourite editor. I cannot imagine any easier way to reference child
 document in LaTeX format.


 Georg





-- 
Do you think you know what math is?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/ian-stewart-2013-08-02
Or what it means to be intelligent?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/john-duncan-2013-08-30
Think again:
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/library

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Georg Baum]

Steve Litt wrote:

 On Wed, 8 Jul 2015 06:24:52 + (UTC)
 Ian iank...@gmail.com wrote:
 
 Hi
 
 I want to automatically update latex code embedded in a LyX document
 that was produced as output from another program, in my case STATA.
 The Latex code contains table commands.
 
 The concept is similar to handling graphics in LyX: Insert  Graphic
  (attach file). If I change the graphic file content, keeping the
  file name
 and location the same, the graphic image will automatically update in
 LyX. I want to do the same thing, but with a .tex file in which
 contains the Latex code for a table produced by STATA. The .tex file
 name and location remain constant, but the content changes.
 
 I am sure this is an easy thing, but I just can't seem to find it on
 the web forums.

This is possible: LyX has a mechanism called external templates which can 
be seen as a generalization of the graphics inset: With an external 
template, you can tell LyX what it needs to do to convert your STATA file 
into LaTeX, and you also tell it how this LaTeX is to be included in the LyX 
document. The only requirement for this to work is that your application (or 
any other tool) allows to convert to LaTeX from the command line.

If you want to use this feature, you need to do two things:

1) Define a new external template for STATA as explained in chapter 6 6 
Including External Material in the Customization Manual. This neds to be 
once, and if you need help don't hesitate to ask on the list.

2) Each time you want to include  a STATA output, you use Insert - File - 
External Material.


 I do that kind of stuff all the time. The trick is to put some kind of
 an unmistakable token in your LyX doc. Then make a shellscript that
 cats your LyX into a script (I'd probably use AWK, your mileage may
 vary) to replace the token with the desired LaTeX, and then redirect
 the script's output to another LyX file. LyX --export latex
 tempfile.lyx;pdflatex tempfile.tex.

This is certainly technically interesting, but I would not recommend such a 
procedure to the original poster, since the builtin mechanism does not need 
those helper scripts, and all the export/view buttons in LyX do just work.


Georg

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Georg Baum]

Ian wrote:

 Thanks Liviu. Inserting a Child document .tex file was exactly what I
 wanted to do. I just didn't know what it was called.

Except for the fact that it is not automatically updated if the STATA file 
changes.


Georg

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Georg Baum]

Benedict Holland wrote:

 If you have generated the tex file in Stata, use ERT. It is much easier.

I am curious: What is easier if you include the file via ERT than with a 
child document? Note that I do not mean to convert the child document to LyX 
format, since LyX also allows to include child documents in LaTeX format.

 The command you want to look up is \input as in \input{table.tex}. This is
 the only way I generate, edit, and include tables now. This should also be
 the command that lyx uses... either that or include but I assume input
 would be a better use in this situation. I also use another application to
 edit the .tex because I need spell checking.

If you insert the .tex file as a child document you can do this as well: The 
child inset context menu provides an edit entry which fires up the .tex file 
in your favourite editor. I cannot imagine any easier way to reference child 
document in LaTeX format.


Georg

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Steve Litt]

On Thu, 09 Jul 2015 22:10:35 +0200
Georg Baum georg.b...@post.rwth-aachen.de wrote:

 Steve Litt wrote:
 
  On Wed, 8 Jul 2015 06:24:52 + (UTC)
  Ian iank...@gmail.com wrote:
  
  Hi
  
  I want to automatically update latex code embedded in a LyX
  document that was produced as output from another program, in my
  case STATA. The Latex code contains table commands.
  
  The concept is similar to handling graphics in LyX: Insert 
  Graphic
   (attach file). If I change the graphic file content, keeping the
   file name
  and location the same, the graphic image will automatically update
  in LyX. I want to do the same thing, but with a .tex file in which
  contains the Latex code for a table produced by STATA. The .tex
  file name and location remain constant, but the content changes.
  
  I am sure this is an easy thing, but I just can't seem to find it
  on the web forums.
 
 This is possible: LyX has a mechanism called external templates
 which can be seen as a generalization of the graphics inset: With an
 external template, you can tell LyX what it needs to do to convert
 your STATA file into LaTeX, and you also tell it how this LaTeX is to
 be included in the LyX document. The only requirement for this to
 work is that your application (or any other tool) allows to convert
 to LaTeX from the command line.
 
 If you want to use this feature, you need to do two things:
 
 1) Define a new external template for STATA as explained in chapter 6
 6 Including External Material in the Customization Manual. This
 neds to be once, and if you need help don't hesitate to ask on the
 list.
 
 2) Each time you want to include  a STATA output, you use Insert -
 File - External Material.
 
 
  I do that kind of stuff all the time. The trick is to put some kind
  of an unmistakable token in your LyX doc. Then make a shellscript
  that cats your LyX into a script (I'd probably use AWK, your
  mileage may vary) to replace the token with the desired LaTeX, and
  then redirect the script's output to another LyX file. LyX --export
  latex tempfile.lyx;pdflatex tempfile.tex.
 
 This is certainly technically interesting, but I would not recommend
 such a procedure to the original poster, since the builtin mechanism
 does not need those helper scripts, and all the export/view buttons
 in LyX do just work.

I'm not so sure it I wouldn't recommend it for the Original Poster
(OP). I've been using these techniques for years, and they amount to a
1 click (or menu choice or command) complete process. It could be
automated to do every hour on the hour with no point and click
intervention. It doesn't depend on LyX features and won't break if LyX
changes its internal way of doing stuff. It's very simple to
troubleshoot, given that there's an intermediate file. And it's dead
bang easy for anyone who can script Python at all.

I think it boils down to a philosophical point. Some folks believe
strongly in never reinventing the wheel. I certainly use a lot of
wheels as-is, but I always resist incorporating a wheel if all I need
is one little spoke. Dependencies, even on something you've already
incorporated, have a cost.

I have scripts that create personalized eBooks, with the buyer's name
in the footers, and some other security features I can't discuss. I
make and ship these several times a day, and all I need to do is tell
my converter which books to convert, the person's name, and bang, it
makes all the eBooks in the order. LyX's only involvement is in a
shellscript using its --export feature.

If the OP can do simple scripting, I'd personally recommend
preprocessing over LyX-centric ways of doing it, if the LyX-centric
ways are complex, time consuming (in a point and click sense), or
likely to change with a future LyX version.

SteveT

Steve Litt 
July 2015 featured book: Rapid Learning for the 21st Century
http://www.troubleshooters.com/rl21

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Richard Heck]

On 07/09/2015 05:19 PM, Liviu Andronic wrote:

On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 10:17 PM, Georg Baum
georg.b...@post.rwth-aachen.de wrote:

Benedict Holland wrote:


If you have generated the tex file in Stata, use ERT. It is much easier.

I am curious: What is easier if you include the file via ERT than with a
child document? Note that I do not mean to convert the child document to LyX
format, since LyX also allows to include child documents in LaTeX format.


I suspect this is simply reflects a misunderstanding relating to the
naming of our Insert  File  Child Document... menu item. For
example, when answering this question I had to repeatedly look closely
in the Insert menu since I was looking for Insert  File  TeX
Document..., and there is obviously none such item. Then I looked
several times at External Material, but to my bemusement there was no
TeX entry there. So by trial and error I realized that Child Document
was the winner.

Perhaps we should consider renaming it to something like: Child
Document (TeX or LyX)?


I second this suggestion, generally speaking. But perhaps we should 
really have two different

menu items, or ?

Richard

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Georg Baum]

Steve Litt wrote:

> On Wed, 8 Jul 2015 06:24:52 + (UTC)
> Ian  wrote:
> 
>> Hi
>> 
>> I want to automatically update latex code embedded in a LyX document
>> that was produced as output from another program, in my case STATA.
>> The Latex code contains table commands.
>> 
>> The concept is similar to handling graphics in LyX: Insert >> Graphic
>> >> (attach file). If I change the graphic file content, keeping the
>> >> file name
>> and location the same, the graphic image will automatically update in
>> LyX. I want to do the same thing, but with a .tex file in which
>> contains the Latex code for a table produced by STATA. The .tex file
>> name and location remain constant, but the content changes.
>> 
>> I am sure this is an easy thing, but I just can't seem to find it on
>> the web forums.

This is possible: LyX has a mechanism called "external templates" which can 
be seen as a generalization of the graphics inset: With an external 
template, you can tell LyX what it needs to do to convert your STATA file 
into LaTeX, and you also tell it how this LaTeX is to be included in the LyX 
document. The only requirement for this to work is that your application (or 
any other tool) allows to convert to LaTeX from the command line.

If you want to use this feature, you need to do two things:

1) Define a new external template for STATA as explained in chapter 6 "6 
Including External Material" in the Customization Manual. This neds to be 
once, and if you need help don't hesitate to ask on the list.

2) Each time you want to include  a STATA output, you use Insert -> File -> 
External Material.


> I do that kind of stuff all the time. The trick is to put some kind of
> an unmistakable token in your LyX doc. Then make a shellscript that
> cats your LyX into a script (I'd probably use AWK, your mileage may
> vary) to replace the token with the desired LaTeX, and then redirect
> the script's output to another LyX file. LyX --export latex
> tempfile.lyx;pdflatex tempfile.tex.

This is certainly technically interesting, but I would not recommend such a 
procedure to the original poster, since the builtin mechanism does not need 
those helper scripts, and all the export/view buttons in LyX do just work.


Georg

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Georg Baum]

Ian wrote:

> Thanks Liviu. Inserting a Child document .tex file was exactly what I
> wanted to do. I just didn't know what it was called.

Except for the fact that it is not automatically updated if the STATA file 
changes.


Georg

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Georg Baum]

Benedict Holland wrote:

> If you have generated the tex file in Stata, use ERT. It is much easier.

I am curious: What is easier if you include the file via ERT than with a 
child document? Note that I do not mean to convert the child document to LyX 
format, since LyX also allows to include child documents in LaTeX format.

> The command you want to look up is \input as in \input{table.tex}. This is
> the only way I generate, edit, and include tables now. This should also be
> the command that lyx uses... either that or include but I assume input
> would be a better use in this situation. I also use another application to
> edit the .tex because I need spell checking.

If you insert the .tex file as a child document you can do this as well: The 
child inset context menu provides an edit entry which fires up the .tex file 
in your favourite editor. I cannot imagine any easier way to reference child 
document in LaTeX format.


Georg

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Liviu Andronic]

On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 10:11 PM, Georg Baum
 wrote:
> Ian wrote:
>
>> Thanks Liviu. Inserting a Child document .tex file was exactly what I
>> wanted to do. I just didn't know what it was called.
>
> Except for the fact that it is not automatically updated if the STATA file
> changes.
>
If the content of the child .tex file changes, doesn't LyX
automatically reflect those changes when recompiling the LyX document?

Liviu


>
> Georg
>
>



-- 
Do you think you know what math is?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/ian-stewart-2013-08-02
Or what it means to be intelligent?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/john-duncan-2013-08-30
Think again:
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/library

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Liviu Andronic]

On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 10:17 PM, Georg Baum
 wrote:
> Benedict Holland wrote:
>
>> If you have generated the tex file in Stata, use ERT. It is much easier.
>
> I am curious: What is easier if you include the file via ERT than with a
> child document? Note that I do not mean to convert the child document to LyX
> format, since LyX also allows to include child documents in LaTeX format.
>
I suspect this is simply reflects a misunderstanding relating to the
naming of our "Insert > File > Child Document..." menu item. For
example, when answering this question I had to repeatedly look closely
in the Insert menu since I was looking for "Insert > File > TeX
Document...", and there is obviously none such item. Then I looked
several times at External Material, but to my bemusement there was no
TeX entry there. So by trial and error I realized that Child Document
was the winner.

Perhaps we should consider renaming it to something like: "Child
Document (TeX or LyX)"?

Liviu


>> The command you want to look up is \input as in \input{table.tex}. This is
>> the only way I generate, edit, and include tables now. This should also be
>> the command that lyx uses... either that or include but I assume input
>> would be a better use in this situation. I also use another application to
>> edit the .tex because I need spell checking.
>
> If you insert the .tex file as a child document you can do this as well: The
> child inset context menu provides an edit entry which fires up the .tex file
> in your favourite editor. I cannot imagine any easier way to reference child
> document in LaTeX format.
>
>
> Georg
>
>



-- 
Do you think you know what math is?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/ian-stewart-2013-08-02
Or what it means to be intelligent?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/john-duncan-2013-08-30
Think again:
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/library

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Steve Litt]

On Thu, 09 Jul 2015 22:10:35 +0200
Georg Baum  wrote:

> Steve Litt wrote:
> 
> > On Wed, 8 Jul 2015 06:24:52 + (UTC)
> > Ian  wrote:
> > 
> >> Hi
> >> 
> >> I want to automatically update latex code embedded in a LyX
> >> document that was produced as output from another program, in my
> >> case STATA. The Latex code contains table commands.
> >> 
> >> The concept is similar to handling graphics in LyX: Insert >>
> >> Graphic
> >> >> (attach file). If I change the graphic file content, keeping the
> >> >> file name
> >> and location the same, the graphic image will automatically update
> >> in LyX. I want to do the same thing, but with a .tex file in which
> >> contains the Latex code for a table produced by STATA. The .tex
> >> file name and location remain constant, but the content changes.
> >> 
> >> I am sure this is an easy thing, but I just can't seem to find it
> >> on the web forums.
> 
> This is possible: LyX has a mechanism called "external templates"
> which can be seen as a generalization of the graphics inset: With an
> external template, you can tell LyX what it needs to do to convert
> your STATA file into LaTeX, and you also tell it how this LaTeX is to
> be included in the LyX document. The only requirement for this to
> work is that your application (or any other tool) allows to convert
> to LaTeX from the command line.
> 
> If you want to use this feature, you need to do two things:
> 
> 1) Define a new external template for STATA as explained in chapter 6
> "6 Including External Material" in the Customization Manual. This
> neds to be once, and if you need help don't hesitate to ask on the
> list.
> 
> 2) Each time you want to include  a STATA output, you use Insert ->
> File -> External Material.
> 
> 
> > I do that kind of stuff all the time. The trick is to put some kind
> > of an unmistakable token in your LyX doc. Then make a shellscript
> > that cats your LyX into a script (I'd probably use AWK, your
> > mileage may vary) to replace the token with the desired LaTeX, and
> > then redirect the script's output to another LyX file. LyX --export
> > latex tempfile.lyx;pdflatex tempfile.tex.
> 
> This is certainly technically interesting, but I would not recommend
> such a procedure to the original poster, since the builtin mechanism
> does not need those helper scripts, and all the export/view buttons
> in LyX do just work.

I'm not so sure it I wouldn't recommend it for the Original Poster
(OP). I've been using these techniques for years, and they amount to a
1 click (or menu choice or command) complete process. It could be
automated to do every hour on the hour with no point and click
intervention. It doesn't depend on LyX features and won't break if LyX
changes its internal way of doing stuff. It's very simple to
troubleshoot, given that there's an intermediate file. And it's dead
bang easy for anyone who can script Python at all.

I think it boils down to a philosophical point. Some folks believe
strongly in never reinventing the wheel. I certainly use a lot of
wheels as-is, but I always resist incorporating a wheel if all I need
is one little spoke. Dependencies, even on something you've already
incorporated, have a cost.

I have scripts that create personalized eBooks, with the buyer's name
in the footers, and some other security features I can't discuss. I
make and ship these several times a day, and all I need to do is tell
my converter which books to convert, the person's name, and bang, it
makes all the eBooks in the order. LyX's only involvement is in a
shellscript using its --export feature.

If the OP can do simple scripting, I'd personally recommend
preprocessing over LyX-centric ways of doing it, if the LyX-centric
ways are complex, time consuming (in a point and click sense), or
likely to change with a future LyX version.

SteveT

Steve Litt 
July 2015 featured book: Rapid Learning for the 21st Century
http://www.troubleshooters.com/rl21

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Richard Heck]

On 07/09/2015 05:19 PM, Liviu Andronic wrote:

On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 10:17 PM, Georg Baum
 wrote:

Benedict Holland wrote:


If you have generated the tex file in Stata, use ERT. It is much easier.

I am curious: What is easier if you include the file via ERT than with a
child document? Note that I do not mean to convert the child document to LyX
format, since LyX also allows to include child documents in LaTeX format.


I suspect this is simply reflects a misunderstanding relating to the
naming of our "Insert > File > Child Document..." menu item. For
example, when answering this question I had to repeatedly look closely
in the Insert menu since I was looking for "Insert > File > TeX
Document...", and there is obviously none such item. Then I looked
several times at External Material, but to my bemusement there was no
TeX entry there. So by trial and error I realized that Child Document
was the winner.

Perhaps we should consider renaming it to something like: "Child
Document (TeX or LyX)"?


I second this suggestion, generally speaking. But perhaps we should 
really have two different

menu items, or ?

Richard

automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Ian]

Hi

I want to automatically update latex code embedded in a LyX document that 
was produced as output from another program, in my case STATA. The Latex 
code contains table commands.

The concept is similar to handling graphics in LyX: Insert  Graphic  
(attach file). If I change the graphic file content, keeping the file name 
and location the same, the graphic image will automatically update in LyX. 
I want to do the same thing, but with a .tex file in which contains the 
Latex code for a table produced by STATA. The .tex file name and location 
remain constant, but the content changes.

I am sure this is an easy thing, but I just can't seem to find it on the 
web forums.

Thanks.

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Liviu Andronic]

On Wed, Jul 8, 2015 at 8:24 AM, Ian iank...@gmail.com wrote:
 Hi

 I want to automatically update latex code embedded in a LyX document that
 was produced as output from another program, in my case STATA. The Latex
 code contains table commands.

 The concept is similar to handling graphics in LyX: Insert  Graphic 
 (attach file). If I change the graphic file content, keeping the file name
 and location the same, the graphic image will automatically update in LyX.
 I want to do the same thing, but with a .tex file in which contains the
 Latex code for a table produced by STATA. The .tex file name and location
 remain constant, but the content changes.

It would be easier if you provided a minimal example, but from what
you say it is easy to do what you want.

If you want to include a .tex file, you would Insert  File  Child.
See Help  Embedded, section 7.2 on Child Documents.

Liviu


 I am sure this is an easy thing, but I just can't seem to find it on the
 web forums.

 Thanks.




-- 
Do you think you know what math is?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/ian-stewart-2013-08-02
Or what it means to be intelligent?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/john-duncan-2013-08-30
Think again:
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/library

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Ian]

 
 If you want to include a .tex file, you would Insert  File  Child.
 See Help  Embedded, section 7.2 on Child Documents.
 
 Liviu
 


Thanks Liviu. Inserting a Child document .tex file was exactly what I 
wanted to do. I just didn't know what it was called. 

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Benedict Holland]

If you have generated the tex file in Stata, use ERT. It is much easier.
The command you want to look up is \input as in \input{table.tex}. This is
the only way I generate, edit, and include tables now. This should also be
the command that lyx uses... either that or include but I assume input
would be a better use in this situation. I also use another application to
edit the .tex because I need spell checking.

FWIW, I would highly recommend looking at how to make good tables using
booktabs. It isn't hard but stata produces some really ugly and hard to
read tables. Also, it doesn't know how to use longtable correctly and if
you need notes, you also need threeparttable. None of those are standard
output in State AFAIK and I know even know if lyx has a UI for
threeparttable.

Good luck,
~Ben

On Wed, Jul 8, 2015 at 4:39 AM, Ian iank...@gmail.com wrote:


 
  If you want to include a .tex file, you would Insert  File  Child.
  See Help  Embedded, section 7.2 on Child Documents.
 
  Liviu
 


 Thanks Liviu. Inserting a Child document .tex file was exactly what I
 wanted to do. I just didn't know what it was called.

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Steve Litt]

On Wed, 8 Jul 2015 06:24:52 + (UTC)
Ian iank...@gmail.com wrote:

 Hi
 
 I want to automatically update latex code embedded in a LyX document
 that was produced as output from another program, in my case STATA.
 The Latex code contains table commands.
 
 The concept is similar to handling graphics in LyX: Insert  Graphic
  (attach file). If I change the graphic file content, keeping the
  file name 
 and location the same, the graphic image will automatically update in
 LyX. I want to do the same thing, but with a .tex file in which
 contains the Latex code for a table produced by STATA. The .tex file
 name and location remain constant, but the content changes.
 
 I am sure this is an easy thing, but I just can't seem to find it on
 the web forums.
 
 Thanks.
 

I do that kind of stuff all the time. The trick is to put some kind of
an unmistakable token in your LyX doc. Then make a shellscript that
cats your LyX into a script (I'd probably use AWK, your mileage may
vary) to replace the token with the desired LaTeX, and then redirect
the script's output to another LyX file. LyX --export latex
tempfile.lyx;pdflatex tempfile.tex.

I have preprocessors that renumber procedure numbers so when I add a
new procedure, I just put it in the right order, and the preprocessor
numbers it.

This is offtopic, but I also have a diploma maker whose input is a SVG
file with text templates, and a Yaml file with replacments for the
templates and a list of student names. I change the Yaml file, rerun my
script, and bang, I have diplomas for each student in my latest class.

If you make token based preprocessors, the world is your oyster.

SteveT

Steve Litt 
July 2015 featured book: Rapid Learning for the 21st Century
http://www.troubleshooters.com/rl21

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Ian]

 
 If you want to include a .tex file, you would Insert  File  Child.
 See Help  Embedded, section 7.2 on Child Documents.
 
 Liviu
 


Thanks Liviu. Inserting a Child document .tex file was exactly what I 
wanted to do. I just didn't know what it was called. 

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Benedict Holland]

If you have generated the tex file in Stata, use ERT. It is much easier.
The command you want to look up is \input as in \input{table.tex}. This is
the only way I generate, edit, and include tables now. This should also be
the command that lyx uses... either that or include but I assume input
would be a better use in this situation. I also use another application to
edit the .tex because I need spell checking.

FWIW, I would highly recommend looking at how to make good tables using
booktabs. It isn't hard but stata produces some really ugly and hard to
read tables. Also, it doesn't know how to use longtable correctly and if
you need notes, you also need threeparttable. None of those are standard
output in State AFAIK and I know even know if lyx has a UI for
threeparttable.

Good luck,
~Ben

On Wed, Jul 8, 2015 at 4:39 AM, Ian iank...@gmail.com wrote:


 
  If you want to include a .tex file, you would Insert  File  Child.
  See Help  Embedded, section 7.2 on Child Documents.
 
  Liviu
 


 Thanks Liviu. Inserting a Child document .tex file was exactly what I
 wanted to do. I just didn't know what it was called.

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Liviu Andronic]

On Wed, Jul 8, 2015 at 8:24 AM, Ian iank...@gmail.com wrote:
 Hi

 I want to automatically update latex code embedded in a LyX document that
 was produced as output from another program, in my case STATA. The Latex
 code contains table commands.

 The concept is similar to handling graphics in LyX: Insert  Graphic 
 (attach file). If I change the graphic file content, keeping the file name
 and location the same, the graphic image will automatically update in LyX.
 I want to do the same thing, but with a .tex file in which contains the
 Latex code for a table produced by STATA. The .tex file name and location
 remain constant, but the content changes.

It would be easier if you provided a minimal example, but from what
you say it is easy to do what you want.

If you want to include a .tex file, you would Insert  File  Child.
See Help  Embedded, section 7.2 on Child Documents.

Liviu


 I am sure this is an easy thing, but I just can't seem to find it on the
 web forums.

 Thanks.




-- 
Do you think you know what math is?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/ian-stewart-2013-08-02
Or what it means to be intelligent?
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/issues/john-duncan-2013-08-30
Think again:
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/library

automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Ian]

Hi

I want to automatically update latex code embedded in a LyX document that 
was produced as output from another program, in my case STATA. The Latex 
code contains table commands.

The concept is similar to handling graphics in LyX: Insert  Graphic  
(attach file). If I change the graphic file content, keeping the file name 
and location the same, the graphic image will automatically update in LyX. 
I want to do the same thing, but with a .tex file in which contains the 
Latex code for a table produced by STATA. The .tex file name and location 
remain constant, but the content changes.

I am sure this is an easy thing, but I just can't seem to find it on the 
web forums.

Thanks.

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Steve Litt]

On Wed, 8 Jul 2015 06:24:52 + (UTC)
Ian iank...@gmail.com wrote:

 Hi
 
 I want to automatically update latex code embedded in a LyX document
 that was produced as output from another program, in my case STATA.
 The Latex code contains table commands.
 
 The concept is similar to handling graphics in LyX: Insert  Graphic
  (attach file). If I change the graphic file content, keeping the
  file name 
 and location the same, the graphic image will automatically update in
 LyX. I want to do the same thing, but with a .tex file in which
 contains the Latex code for a table produced by STATA. The .tex file
 name and location remain constant, but the content changes.
 
 I am sure this is an easy thing, but I just can't seem to find it on
 the web forums.
 
 Thanks.
 

I do that kind of stuff all the time. The trick is to put some kind of
an unmistakable token in your LyX doc. Then make a shellscript that
cats your LyX into a script (I'd probably use AWK, your mileage may
vary) to replace the token with the desired LaTeX, and then redirect
the script's output to another LyX file. LyX --export latex
tempfile.lyx;pdflatex tempfile.tex.

I have preprocessors that renumber procedure numbers so when I add a
new procedure, I just put it in the right order, and the preprocessor
numbers it.

This is offtopic, but I also have a diploma maker whose input is a SVG
file with text templates, and a Yaml file with replacments for the
templates and a list of student names. I change the Yaml file, rerun my
script, and bang, I have diplomas for each student in my latest class.

If you make token based preprocessors, the world is your oyster.

SteveT

Steve Litt 
July 2015 featured book: Rapid Learning for the 21st Century
http://www.troubleshooters.com/rl21

automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Ian]

Hi

I want to automatically update latex code embedded in a LyX document that 
was produced as output from another program, in my case STATA. The Latex 
code contains table commands.

The concept is similar to handling graphics in LyX: Insert >> Graphic >> 
(attach file). If I change the graphic file content, keeping the file name 
and location the same, the graphic image will automatically update in LyX. 
I want to do the same thing, but with a .tex file in which contains the 
Latex code for a table produced by STATA. The .tex file name and location 
remain constant, but the content changes.

I am sure this is an easy thing, but I just can't seem to find it on the 
web forums.

Thanks.

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Liviu Andronic]

On Wed, Jul 8, 2015 at 8:24 AM, Ian  wrote:
> Hi
>
> I want to automatically update latex code embedded in a LyX document that
> was produced as output from another program, in my case STATA. The Latex
> code contains table commands.
>
> The concept is similar to handling graphics in LyX: Insert >> Graphic >>
> (attach file). If I change the graphic file content, keeping the file name
> and location the same, the graphic image will automatically update in LyX.
> I want to do the same thing, but with a .tex file in which contains the
> Latex code for a table produced by STATA. The .tex file name and location
> remain constant, but the content changes.
>
It would be easier if you provided a minimal example, but from what
you say it is easy to do what you want.

If you want to include a .tex file, you would Insert > File > Child.
See Help > Embedded, section 7.2 on Child Documents.

Liviu


> I am sure this is an easy thing, but I just can't seem to find it on the
> web forums.
>
> Thanks.
>



-- 
Do you think you know what math is?
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Or what it means to be intelligent?
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Think again:
http://www.ideasroadshow.com/library

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Ian]

> 
> If you want to include a .tex file, you would Insert > File > Child.
> See Help > Embedded, section 7.2 on Child Documents.
> 
> Liviu
> 


Thanks Liviu. Inserting a Child document .tex file was exactly what I 
wanted to do. I just didn't know what it was called. 

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Benedict Holland]

If you have generated the tex file in Stata, use ERT. It is much easier.
The command you want to look up is \input as in \input{table.tex}. This is
the only way I generate, edit, and include tables now. This should also be
the command that lyx uses... either that or include but I assume input
would be a better use in this situation. I also use another application to
edit the .tex because I need spell checking.

FWIW, I would highly recommend looking at how to make good tables using
booktabs. It isn't hard but stata produces some really ugly and hard to
read tables. Also, it doesn't know how to use longtable correctly and if
you need notes, you also need threeparttable. None of those are standard
output in State AFAIK and I know even know if lyx has a UI for
threeparttable.

Good luck,
~Ben

On Wed, Jul 8, 2015 at 4:39 AM, Ian  wrote:

>
> >
> > If you want to include a .tex file, you would Insert > File > Child.
> > See Help > Embedded, section 7.2 on Child Documents.
> >
> > Liviu
> >
>
>
> Thanks Liviu. Inserting a Child document .tex file was exactly what I
> wanted to do. I just didn't know what it was called.
>
>
>
>

Re: automatically updating latex code used in a LyX document

[Steve Litt]

On Wed, 8 Jul 2015 06:24:52 + (UTC)
Ian  wrote:

> Hi
> 
> I want to automatically update latex code embedded in a LyX document
> that was produced as output from another program, in my case STATA.
> The Latex code contains table commands.
> 
> The concept is similar to handling graphics in LyX: Insert >> Graphic
> >> (attach file). If I change the graphic file content, keeping the
> >> file name 
> and location the same, the graphic image will automatically update in
> LyX. I want to do the same thing, but with a .tex file in which
> contains the Latex code for a table produced by STATA. The .tex file
> name and location remain constant, but the content changes.
> 
> I am sure this is an easy thing, but I just can't seem to find it on
> the web forums.
> 
> Thanks.
> 

I do that kind of stuff all the time. The trick is to put some kind of
an unmistakable token in your LyX doc. Then make a shellscript that
cats your LyX into a script (I'd probably use AWK, your mileage may
vary) to replace the token with the desired LaTeX, and then redirect
the script's output to another LyX file. LyX --export latex
tempfile.lyx;pdflatex tempfile.tex.

I have preprocessors that renumber procedure numbers so when I add a
new procedure, I just put it in the right order, and the preprocessor
numbers it.

This is offtopic, but I also have a diploma maker whose input is a SVG
file with text templates, and a Yaml file with replacments for the
templates and a list of student names. I change the Yaml file, rerun my
script, and bang, I have diplomas for each student in my latest class.

If you make token based preprocessors, the world is your oyster.

SteveT

Steve Litt 
July 2015 featured book: Rapid Learning for the 21st Century
http://www.troubleshooters.com/rl21