PDF Generation

Lambda Feedback uses a single source to render content both in the browser and by PDF. The browser view uses katex to render LaTeX, which limits the scope of LaTeX that can be used. katex doesn't use traditional LaTeX packages, but emulates many of the popular packages: Package Emulation

When a question is published by a teacher, a PDF copy is also generated. The PDF compilation process uses xelatex and the Latex Template is public. The template installs relevant packages, and a list of packages is compiled below. This list will be updated as we receive more requirements from users.

Supported packages when generating a PDF

Package	Description
amsmath	Provides essential mathematical features like aligned equations, matrices, and advanced math functions; fundamental for most LaTeX math.
amssymb	Adds extra mathematical symbols beyond the base LaTeX set.
babel	Enables multilingual support with proper hyphenation and typographical conventions; allows switching languages within a document.
biblatex	Manages bibliographies with advanced features and customization; more flexible than traditional packages like natbib.
bidi	Enables bidirectional text support for mixing LTR and RTL scripts like Arabic and Hebrew.
booktabs	Provides commands for professional-looking tables with proper spacing and design; discourages vertical rules.
bracket	Offers commands for properly sizing and aligning brackets in math environments.
cancel	Draws slashes through math expressions to indicate cancellation; useful for derivations.
eurosym	Adds the Euro (€) symbol with options for appearance to integrate with fonts.
fixltx2e	Fixes bugs and improves LaTeX2e; useful for older distributions (deprecated in recent versions).
fancyvrb	Enhances verbatim text with customization; useful for code listings with line numbers and styling.
fontenc	Specifies font encoding; allows use of comprehensive encodings like T1 for accented characters.
fontspec	Allows use of system fonts (OpenType, TrueType) with XeLaTeX/LuaLaTeX; offers advanced font selection.
geometry	Simplifies setting page dimensions, margins, and layout parameters.
graphicx	Includes and manipulates images in documents.
grffile	Allows inclusion of graphics with filenames containing multiple dots or spaces.
hyperref	Creates hyperlinks in documents; makes references, citations, and TOC entries clickable.
ifxetex	Checks if document is compiled with XeTeX; useful for engine-specific configurations.
ifluatex	Checks if document is compiled with LuaTeX; enables engine-specific configurations.
inputenc	Specifies input encoding (e.g., UTF-8) for source files; allows direct typing of accented characters.
listings	Includes and formats source code with syntax highlighting and customization.
longtable	Creates tables that span multiple pages with automatic breaks and repeated headers.
lmodern	Provides the Latin Modern font family; improved version of default fonts with more characters.
mathspec	Uses OpenType fonts for math in XeLaTeX/LuaLaTeX; matches math fonts with text fonts.
microtype	Improves typography with microtypographic extensions like character protrusion and font expansion.
natbib	Advanced citation management; supports various styles and integrates with BibTeX.
parskip	Adds vertical space between paragraphs and removes indentation.
pifont	Provides access to Dingbat fonts for symbols like checkmarks and crosses.
polyglossia	Multilingual support for XeLaTeX/LuaLaTeX; provides language-specific typographical rules.
setspace	Adjusts line spacing (single, one-and-a-half, double) in documents.
ulem	Adds advanced underlining and strikethrough styles; allows underlines to break at line ends.
upquote	Ensures straight quotes in code listings; prevents conversion to curly quotes.
xcolor	Adds color to text and math expressions.
xeCJK	Typesets Chinese, Japanese, and Korean (CJK) characters in XeLaTeX; handles fonts, spacing, and line breaking.