LaTeX: Document classes comparison
Difference between various document classes
LaTeX is a typesetting system - suits well for preparing nice-looking complex documents. LaTeX offers several document classes that determine the overall structure and formatting of a document.
Here is a list of these LaTeX document classes, and their main params.
Documentclass declaration is in the beginning of the LaTeX document and looks like this:
\documentclass[a5paper, 10pt, twoside, twocolumn]{extarticle}
The main document classes are article, report, and book, each designed for different types of documents.
Article Class
The article class is the most versatile and commonly used. It’s suitable for:
- Scientific journal articles
- Short reports
- Presentations
- Program documentation
Article class does not include chapters and typically doesn’t have a separate title page.
Report Class
The report class is similar to article but includes additional features:
- Supports chapters (\chapter command)
- Automatically generates a title page
- Suitable for longer documents, such as theses or small books
Book Class
The book class is designed for longer, more complex documents:
- Includes chapters
- Supports front and back matter (e.g., index)
- Uses double-sided printing by default
- Provides specific formatting for publication purposes
Comparison Table
Feature | Article | Report | Book |
---|---|---|---|
Length | Short | Medium to Long | Long |
Chapters | No | Yes | Yes |
Title Page | Optional | Default | Default |
Page Numbering | Bottom | Top | Alternating |
Use Case | Journal articles, short documents | Theses, longer reports | Books, publications |
Other specialized classes include letter (for correspondence), beamer (for presentations), and memoir (an extended book class).
When choosing a document class, consider the length, complexity, and formal requirements of your document. If unsure, start with the article class and adjust as needed.
Other document classes
While the standard LaTeX document classes like article, report, and book are widely known, there are several lesser-known document classes that serve specific purposes:
-
standalone: This class is designed for creating standalone graphics or snippets of a document that can be compiled on their own. It’s particularly useful for creating figures or diagrams that can be easily included in other documents.
-
minimal: As the name suggests, this class is as minimal as it can get. It only sets a page size and a base font, making it primarily useful for debugging purposes.
-
proc: This class is based on the article class but is specifically designed for conference proceedings.
-
IEEEtran: This class is tailored for articles following the IEEE Transactions format, which is commonly used in engineering and computer science publications.
-
KOMA-Script classes: These include scrartcl, scrreprt, and scrbook, which are enhanced versions of the standard article, report, and book classes, offering more functionality and customization options.
-
beamer: Although primarily known for presentations, beamer is worth mentioning as a specialized class for creating professional-looking slides.
-
memoir: The memoir class is a highly versatile and flexible LaTeX document class that can be used for a wide variety of document types. It is not limited to a single type of document and can be adapted for many purposes:
The memoir class is a highly versatile and flexible LaTeX document class that can be used for a wide variety of document types. It is not limited to a single type of document and can be adapted for many purposes:
The memoir class offers extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor the document’s appearance to their specific needs. It incorporates the functionality of over 30 popular packages, simplifying the preamble and providing tools for customizing page layout, headers, footers, and section titles. Memoir supports a wide range of font sizes, from 9pt to 60pt (or even larger with scalable fonts), making it suitable for various document types and purposes.
While memoir is highly capable, it’s worth noting that it may have a steeper learning curve compared to simpler classes. However, its comprehensive documentation and flexibility make it a powerful choice for users who need fine control over their document’s design and layout.
These lesser-known classes offer specialized features and formatting options that can be valuable for specific document types or purposes. When choosing a document class, consider the length, complexity, and formal requirements of your document to select the most appropriate option.