Changes

In order to be able to run ConTeXt under Windows, you will need the following:* your favorite [[Text Editors|text editor]] and [[PDF Viewers|PDF viewer]]* a stand-alone ConTeXt distribution or any other TeX distribution (such as MikTeX, TeX Live, ... )* Perl, Ruby and GhostScript (Perl and Ruby are script languages, GS is a PostScript and PDF interpreter)* [[ConTeXt Minimals]]* some * [[Text Editors|Text EditorTeX Live]]* PDF viewer * [[MikTeX]] (Adobe Reader, GSview or any other'''broken!!!''')Optional:* [httpsome scripting languages://gnuwin32.sourceforge.net/packages/unzip.htm unzip] = General =ruby, perl, GhostScript

You have to bear in mind that ConTeXt is being developed reasonably fast (see [[Release Notes]]), so it's recommended to update it regulary. The standalone version of ConTeXt can be updated withcommand

But you need used to work OK, but is '''no more recommended'''. All the three distributions mentioned here have their own way to <b>update [[cont-win.zip]]</b> every now We'll come back to that later (and then as wellmove this section to a better place).

= Which [[ConTeXt distribution to choose? =Minimals]] | http://minimals.contextgarden.net/

Note: You * the official ConTeXt distribution* easy to keep up-to-date* includes (almost) everything that you need for ConTeXt* no LaTeX** if you don't need it, that's a rather small & convenient way to use ConTeXt** if you need it, you can use both have minimals installed parallel to [[TeX Live|TL]] or [[MikTeX and the stand-alone distr. simultaneously.]]

=== MikTeX ===There are two ways to install it on Windows:MikTeX is great tool for people typsetting in LaTeX* use GUI intaller by Vyatcheslav [http://minimals. Updating the packages is easy and contextgarden.net/setup/context-installer/] (fontsets environmental variables globally)* install from command-line (TODO: instructions) <b>packages are downloaded automatically</b>. If you need the very latest version of ConTeXt, you might need to update it manually.

=== Stand-alone ConTeXt ===The stand-alone ConTeXt can always be kept up-to-date, it includes LuaTeX, the environment is set up "properly" and some special functionality that doesn't work in MikTeX should work here as expected[[TeX Live]] 2008 | http://www.tug.org/texlive/

If you don't need LaTeX, this might be the perfect solution. If you also need LaTeX, the stand-alone doesn't interfere with MikTeX * reference distribution for (or other distributionsLa), so you TeX for all platforms* released once per year and sent to members of TeX user groups on DVDs* used to be gigantic; but since 2008 one can use both.install separate packages and update them* binaries are compatible with Minimals* ConTeXt is outdated** but it's possible to update it manually** new ConTeXt update mechanism is being prepared

=== TeX Live''Another distribution worth mentioning is [http://www.fsci.fuk.kindai.ac.jp/kakuto/win32-ptex/web2c75-e.html W32TeX] that came to our attention when Akira (its author) was the first one to manage to compile [[XeTeX]] for Windows, W32TeX ===TeX Live is released once per year and sent to members of TeX user groups on DVDsstill provides the very latest Windows binaries for [[XeTeX]], [[LuaTeX]], [[pdfTeX]], [[MetaPost]], ... Its package management Distribution is modest a bit specific, but his binaries are great - compatible with [[TeX Live]] and still used in development, and it[[Minimals]].''s not updated between releases.

W32TeX [http://www.fsci.fuk.kindai.ac.jp/kakuto/win32-ptex/web2c75-e.html W32TeX] came to our attention since Akira == MikTeX (its authorbroken) was the first one to manage to compile [[XeTeX]] for Windows, and still provides the very latest Windows binaries for [[XeTeX]], [[LuaTeX]], [[pdfTeX]], [[MetaPost]], ... all of them being compatible with TeX Live.==

The stand-alone ConTeXt distribution takes files & binaries from both of them, but as a distribution, [[MikTeX or stand-alone ConTeXt might be a better choice]] 2.7 | http://www.miktex.org

== StandSee also* http://www.tug.org/protext/: MikTeX-alone ConTeXt based distribution ==, includes TeXnicCenter, GhostScript and WinEdt

{{todo|I made an example how to use the stand-alone distr. isolated from an existing distro. I would == For newbies (like to "join" this somehow with the first section and move opening of <code>cdemo.bat</code> to something like <b>testing the installation</b>. Perhaps <tt>pragmatex.bat</tt> can be executed with autorun or something if one is not using another TeX distribution.}}Word (ex)users) ==

* '''[http://scintilla.sourceforge.net/SciTE.html SciTE]''': nicely integrated with Minimals; support written by Ville Voipio on the mailing listHans Hagen ConTeXt commands.* '''Notepad++'''* '''[http://www.winedt.com WinEdt]''': rich graphical user-interface, 2006-01-19but more support for LaTeX than for ConTeXt* '''[http://www.textpad.com/ Textpad]'''* '''[http://www.toolscenter.org TeXnicCenter]''' (modified)

Here is a step by step of how it should go == For gurus (i.e. what I did with successlike (La)TeX users or programmers):==

# Install These may be a good choice if you're willing to invest some time into learning them (may be worth the effort):* [[Windows Installation#Installing Perl and Ruby|Perl and RubyVim]]# Download * [http://www.pragma-adeemacswiki.comorg/contextcgi-bin/install/mswincontext.zip mswincontext.zipwiki Emacs], unzip it and move/rename the <code>isoimage</code> folder to your favourite destination. The instructions to follow assume that you renamed <code>isoimage</code> to <pre>c:\Programs\context</pre> There should be one folder (<code>usr</code>) and a few files in it.# Open the folder <code>c:\Programs\context</code> and double-click <code>cdemo.bat</code>.# Now you should see the editor SciTE open with a few files. Press F7 to compile one of the files.If everything goes smoothly, you are done. If not, read these instructions again carefully. If you cannot get it work, mail the list.

A few notes on the procedure above:* It is up to After you to choose the location where you unzip the file in step #2, no magic there. Just 've done all that you know where the files are.* The actual location of the ConTeXt tree in step #2 does not matter. I use <tt>c:\context</tt>, but you might use something else. However, I would not use anything with a space in the name (e.g. <tt>c:\Program Files\context</tt>), as that may confuse things. [Seems to work with an August 2006 stand-alone distribution.]* After you have verified everything works in step #3, you can toss <tt>cdemo.bat</tt> away and finally use <tt>cstart.bat</tt> your favourite editor to start everything. Make a link to it somewhere so that you can start the system by a shortcut or through the Start menu. ''Do not move the batch script anywhere,'' it has to be run in the root directory of the distribution (e.g. <tt>c:\Programs\context</tt>).* Make sure you have something Acrobatish (any decent PDF viewer) installed, otherwise you won't see the results in step #4.* A final note: to have it finally running you should build the formats write your [[First Document|firstdocument]]. To do so there is at least a way:

(assuming C:\Programs\context) Start->Run->cmd cd C:\Programs\context cdemo.bat  Then close the SciTe window but remain in the cmd.  Then, in one line: C:\Programs\context\usr\local\context\tex\setuptex.bat C:\Programs\context\usr\local\context\tex  texexec --make --all  Then, close the cmd, double-click in cdemo.bat and voila ! * Another way to do To compile it could be to type: texexec --make --all directly in SciTe console. ===How to use the stand-alone distr. if you have MikTeX/TeX Live installed=== # Create a file <code>pragmatex.bat</code> (the name doesn't really matter) with this content: <pre>C:\Programs\context\usr\local\context\tex\setuptex.bat C:\Programs\context\usr\local\context\tex</pre> and make sure that this file is visible by <code>PATH</code>.# You can safely continue using your old TeX distribution (MikTeX, TeX Live, ...). If you want to invoke the stand-alone distribution, just execute <pre>pragmatex</pre> from open the command-line and all the subsequent calls to <code>texexec</code> will use files from the stand-alone tree again (you'll notice the difference in file names when running ConTeXt). ===Updating the installation=== {{todo|explain the best way for updating}} == MikTeX or ProTeXt == * http://www.miktex.org/* http://www.tug.org/protext/ (MikTeXStart -based distribution, includes TeXnicCenter, GhostScript and WinEdt) MikTeX is probably the easiest and most recommended solution for newbies or for those who have already been using LaTeX and don't want to install anything else> Run . MikTeX is very user-friendly, updating is very easy, missing fonts or third-party modules are installed automatically when you first use them. However, some more experienced ConTeXt users may not always be happy with it:* using fonts doesn't always work as expected (or at least different than in the stand-alone distribution)* ConTeXt format is usually recent, but not always the latest (you can still update ConTeXt manually)* [[LuaTeX]] doesn't work yet with it yet === After you install or change something: Refresh file name database & Rebuild Formats === {{todo:this needs to be updated, it's slightly different on more recent MikTeX}} * ''MikTeX Options -> General -> Refresh FNDB''* ''MikTeX Options -> General -> Update Formats'' ''(Don't forget to run the '''MikTeX Update Wizard''' regularly!)'' If you have any problems running ConTeXt, check* ''MikTeX Options -> Formats -> <code>cont-en</code> -> Edit'' The following should be set: Compiler: pdfetex Input File Name: cont-en.ini Output File Name: [empty] Preloaded Format: [empty] Description: [anything] Exclude when updating: [unchecked] After ''Apply''-ing and ''Build''-ing, ''Refresh'' & ''Update'' as described above. This is the MikTeX way for doing <code>texexec --make en</code>. The latter has no influence since MikTeX doesntype 't set any system variables and consequently ConTeXt doesn't know where to leave the created formats. === Additional settings (for those who use MetaFun) === Some default "security settings" (not really relevant for you unless you run it on a server) may cause you troubles, esp. when using [[MetaFun]]. Do the following:* In <code>[MikTeX PATH]\tex\context\user\cont-sys.tex</code> uncomment the following lines:<texcode>\runMPgraphicstrue\runMPTEXgraphicstrue</texcode>* In case the file doesn't exist yet, copy the file <code>cont-sys.rme</code> (in the same folder) to <code>cont-sys.tex</code> first. <code>cont-sys.rme</code> may change every now and then, so check for major changes from time to time and update your <code>cont-sys.tex</code> accordingly.* Enable <code>write18</code> cmd''(see below)'or ' (<code>[MikTeX PATH]</code> and <code>[localtexmf PATH]</code> are chosen during the installation. If you don't know what they are, take a look at 'command'MikTeX Options -> Roots'') I don't know why and when exactly this is needed ([[MPtoPDF]] may cause problems), but set TEXSYSTEM=miktexmay help you solving some problems. === write18 === <code>write18</code> allows calling external programs from within TeX. It's not a good idea to have it enabled on a server, but for comfortable work with ConTeXt (for MetaFun or modules for R and gnuplot) you probably need it. Each application now has it's own configuration file. To enable <code>write18</code> run initexmf --edit-config-file=miktex\config\pdfetex.iniand put EnableWrite18=tinto it. An alternative is to se the environment variable <code>MIKTEX_ENABLEWRITE18=t</code> (in early MikTeX 2.5 versions there was a bug and only MIKTEX_ENABLEWRITE188=t worked, but you should better upgrade your MikTeX to 2.6 or 2.7 anyway). == W32TeX ==texexec yourfilename

== TeX Live or XEmTeX Adobe Reader ==

* you can get it [http://www.tugadobe.orgcom/texliveproducts/* https:acrobat//xemtex.groups.foundryreadstep2.supelec.fr/ (TeX Live-based distribution including Perl, Emacs and GhostScript)html here]

== Notes about fontconfig (for XeTeX) == * To use fonts that are not installed on the system you should add something like this to <code>C:\Programs\context\usr\local\context\texmf\fonts\conf\fonts.conf</code> (adjust the path according to your settings): <dir>c:/Programs/context/usr/local/context/texmf/fonts/opentype/public/lm</dir>* For the first time and every time when you install a new font that you want to use with XeTeX, issue: fc-cache -f -v* To get a list of the available fonts use: fc-list > list.txt = Required Ruby and Useful Tools = == Installing Perl and Ruby ==

You need the two scripting languages in other operating systems as well, but installing them under Windows may be a bit less intuitive for a newbie than under Linux. You can download ActivePerl [http://www.activestate.com/Products/Download/Download.plex?id=ActivePerl here] and Ruby [http://rubyinstaller.rubyforge.org/wiki/wiki.pl here] (automatic installation) or [http://ftp.ruby-lang.org/pub/ruby/binaries/mswin32/ here] (different one; might be better - you only need to extract files from zipand add ruby to PATH).

After installing them (remember the folder where you've put them!) you have to check if both executables are included in the PATH. Open the command line (''Start'' -> ''Run'' ... -> type '''<code>cmd</code>''' or '''<code>command</code>''') and check ifthese work OK:

== Installing GhostScript ==

Assuming that you already have Adobe Reader (if not, you can get it [http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html here]; you don't need it to compile your documents, but at least to see the results), there There is still some software still worth mentioning.:

= Choosing a [[Text Editors|text editor]] & compiling Special Notes = == Older versions of Windows == The stand-alone distribution only works for newer versions of Windows that have cmd.exe instead of command.com as command interpreter. Running it on Windows 98 (or earlier) is also possible, but needs some tweaking (hardcoding the paths in .bat script). If you really need that and can't make it work alone, try to ask Taco. == TODO - needs revision ==

== For newbies (=Installation Instructions=== {{todo|I made an example how to use the stand-alone distr. isolated from an existing distro. I would like to "join" this somehow with the first section and move opening of <code>cdemo.bat</code> to something like Word <b>testing the installation</b>. Perhaps <tt>pragmatex.bat</tt> can be executed with autorun or something if one is not using another TeX distribution.}} ''by Ville Voipio on the mailing list, 2006-01-19'' (exmodified)users Here is a step by step of how it should go (i.e. what I did with success) ==:

{{todo# Install [[Windows Installation#Installing Perl and Ruby|Explain Perl and Ruby]]# Download [http://www.pragma-ade.com/context/install/mswincontext.zip mswincontext.zip], unzip it and move/rename the difference between GUI<code>isoimage</text editorcode> folder to your favourite destination. The instructions to follow assume that you renamed <code>isoimage</code> to <pre>c:\Programs\context</compilerpre> There should be one folder (<code>usr</PDF document; people often ask mecode>) and a few files in it.# Open the folder <code>c: "ConTeXt \Programs\context</code> and double- oh, click <code>cdemo.bat</code>.# Now you mean that program should see the editor SciTE open with a blue screen and colourful fonts?"}}few files. Press F7 to compile one of the files.If everything goes smoothly, you are done. If not, read these instructions again carefully. If you cannot get it work, mail the list.

* '''[http{{todo|review these steps://scintillajoin the information - notes about ruby, Acrobat, .sourceforge.net/SciTE.html SciTE]''' or '''[http://www.winedt.com WinEdt]''' or [http://www.textpad.com/ Textpad] or [http://www.toolscenter.org TeXnicCenter] may be a good choice for a newbieapply to all windows distributions.}}

WinEdt has A few notes on the procedure above:* It is up to you to choose the location where you unzip the file in step #2, no magic there. Just that you know where the files are.* The actual location of the ConTeXt tree in step #2 does not matter. I use <tt>c:\context</tt>, but you might use something else. However, I would not use anything with a rich graphical userspace in the name (e.g. <tt>c:\Program Files\context</tt>), as that may confuse things. [Seems to work with an August 2006 stand-interfacealone distribution.]* After you have verified everything works in step #3, but more support for LaTeX than for ConTeXtyou can toss <tt>cdemo.bat</tt> away and use <tt>cstart.bat</tt> to start everything. Make a link to it somewhere so that you can start the system by a shortcut or through the Start menu. ''(You need Do not move the batch script anywhere,'' it has to install WinEdt AFTER be run in the installtion root directory of MikTeX, GhostScript and Adobe Reader for Windowsthe distribution (e.g. <tt>c:\Programs\context</tt>).* Make sure you have something Acrobatish (any decent PDF viewer)installed, otherwise you won''t see the results in step #4.* A final note: to have it finally running you should build the formats first. To do so there is at least a way:

ConTeXt support for SciTE was written by Hans Hagen (the ConTeXt developer himselfassuming C:\Programs\context) and also includes recognition and auto Start-completion of most frequent ConTeXt commands>Run->cmd cd C:\Programs\context cdemo.bat

According to their web-site: "TeXnicCenter is a feature rich integrated development environment (IDE) for developing LaTeX-documents on Microsoft Windows (Windows 9x/ME, NT/2000/XP) freely available under GPL."It can also be used for processing ConTeXt documents Then close the SciTe window but remain in the cmd.

{{todo|Someone should write how to install SciTE & ConTeXt support for it without installing the stand-alone ConTeXt Then, in one line: C:\Programs\context\usr\local\context\tex\setuptex.}}bat C:\Programs\context\usr\local\context\tex

You probably already have your favourite [[Text Editors|text editor]] (or at least you know what we're talking about) and you may skip this. If not Then, take a look at close the [[Text Editors|text editor]] page to help you choose onecmd, double-click in cdemo.bat* [[Vim]] or [http://www.emacswiki.org/cgi-bin/wiki Emacs] may be a good choice if you're willing to invest some time into learning them - it may be worth the effort. and voila !

After you've done all that, you can finally ===How to use your favourite editor to write your [[First Document|first document]]the stand-alone distr.if you have MikTeX/TeX Live installed===

To compile it, open # Create a file <code>pragmatex.bat</code> (the command line again name doesn't really matter) with this content: <pre>C:\Programs\context\usr\local\context\tex\setuptex.bat C:\Programs\context\usr\local\context\tex</pre> and make sure that this file is visible by <code>PATH</code>.# You can safely continue using your old TeX distribution (Start -> Run MikTeX, TeX Live, ...). If you want to invoke the stand-alone distribution, just execute <pre> type '''cmd''' or '''pragmatex</pre> from the command-line and all the subsequent calls to <code>texexec</code> will use files from the stand-alone tree (you'''ll notice the difference in file names when running ConTeXt) and run texexec yourfilename.