>>From: Janus Sandsgaard <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>Subject: compiler - latex vs. pdflatex (was: Re: Bit-mapped graphics) >>Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 23:10:28 +0100 >> >>On Tuesday 23 March 2004 18:11, Angus Leeming wrote: >> >>> The 'latex' compiler can handle eps images only. The 'pdflatex' >>> compiler can handle 'pdf' and 'png' format images. >> >>Are there any cases in which the latex compiler is prefered above pdflatex? Or >>is it safe to say that pdflatex does the same as latex, plus some more? Why >>is latex the default?
Because latex proces dvi (as it reads, device independent). It's an external program (dvips) which produces ps (and pdf through another filter). (La)TeX delegates dvi conversion, and transmits as is the included eps stuff. In fact (La)TeX needs only the BoundingBox to compute the layout, doesn't care about the contents, which are really inserted in the ps output by dvips. -- Jean-Pierre
