Replace the `$$ … $$` macro with the `\[ … \]` macros? - Prefer the way LaTeX lays it out, but `$` are faster to write

Question

Is there a way to replace the $$ ... $$ macro with the \[ ... \] macros? (and replace inline mathmode as well)

I realised the only way I can write the \sum_{i=1}^{10} t_i is between the \[ ... \] LaTeX maths-mode. It also seems to layout the maths nicer (bigger, with gaps).

However, $$ ... $$ is faster to write... so is there a way to replace the $$ ... $$ macro, to act in the LaTeX fashion?

Answer 1

This is not a direct answer to your question but maybe a better solution: use snippet management to ease writing \[ ... \] constructions. This of course requires an editor with support for snippets management.

You could create a snippet that activates when writing $Tab (or some key command) and when it's activates it inputs

\[

\]

and places the cursor between them.

In many snippets managers this snippet is simply:

\[
$1
\]

For an explanation of how YASnippet, a snippet manager for Emacs, works, see Working with templates.

Answer 2

Personally, I think that you should just get into the habit of typing \[ and \] as quickly as possible and I think that you'll find that you soon develop the right "muscle memory" that it becomes as fast as typing $$.

But if you want to do a one shot conversion, then I have a script that might help you. I wrote it a while ago, probably when I was in a similar circumstance (the details are hazy in my memory) and wanted to convert my old files. I still use it when I get sent something by a collaborator or student that uses $$.

You can find it from my website, at http://www.math.ntnu.no/~stacey/HowDidIDoThat/LaTeX/debuck.html

(The name is from the American word "buck" for "dollar".)

Answer 3

No it is not possible to redefine them the way you want. However, if you write your maths correctly you can use either of them without any problem. Consider this code:

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
\fbox{
\begin{minipage}{5cm}
This is a test
$$ \sum_{i=1}^{10} t_i $$
and
$$ \sum_{i=1}^{10} t_i $$
and another
\end{minipage}}
\fbox{
\begin{minipage}{5cm}
This is a test
\[ \sum_{i=1}^{10} t_i \]
and
\[ \sum_{i=1}^{10} t_i \]
and another
\end{minipage}}

%% This will make a slightly different layout
\fbox{
\begin{minipage}[t]{5cm}
This is a test
$$ \sum_{i=1}^{10} t_i $$

and

$$ \sum_{i=1}^{10} t_i $$
and another
\end{minipage}}
\fbox{
\begin{minipage}[t]{5cm}
This is a test
\[ \sum_{i=1}^{10} t_i \]

and

\[ \sum_{i=1}^{10} t_i \]
and another
\end{minipage}}

\fbox{
\begin{minipage}{5cm}
This is a test \math x=y+5 \endmath\  and \ldots

This is a test $ x=y+5$ and \ldots

This is a test \( x=y+5 \) and \ldots
\end{minipage}}
\end{document}

The first two boxes are identical, as they have been written correctly as a single paragraph. The second one the LaTeX way, as you observed in your question is a bit "loose". If you are aware of these differences you can use $$ without any issues. For inline math I always use $ and so far it hasn't caused the universe to collapse into a black hole!

Caveat: If you use any maths packages or amsmath you will be well advised to rather stay with \[..\], although for the example above just using usepackage{amsmath} will provide consistent results for both cases, but will fail if you use the option fleqn. See also Is `$ ... $` okay to use, while `$$ ... $$` is not recommended? and Why is \[ ... \] preferable to $$?.