Problem using a LaTeX template for writing thesis

Question

I have downloaded a template for writing thesis from MIT website, which can be found here. In the file main.tex, I have to modify the following code:

\typein [\files]{Enter file names to process, (chap1,chap2 ...), or `all' to process all files:}
\def\all{all}
\ifx\files\all \typeout{Including all files.} \else \typeout{Including only \files.} \includeonly{\files} \fi

Could someone please let me know how I should modify the above code? I have tried for example:

\typein [\files]{'all'}

but still I get errors such as Emergency Stop.

Answer 1

\typein asks for input on run. While running the unmodified file, you'd get the following question:

Enter file names to process, (chap1,chap2 ...), or `all' to process all files:

\files=

At this point you'd have to enter all to include all files.

If you always want to include all files, replace this:

\typein [\files]{Enter file names to process, (chap1,chap2 ...), or `all' to process all files:}

with this:

\def\files{all}

This way you can always change the included files by changing the definition. It for some reason you'll never do that you can remove (or comment out) this part entirely:

\typein [\files]{Enter file names to process, (chap1,chap2 ...), or `all' to process all files:}
\def\all{all}
\ifx\files\all \typeout{Including all files.} \else \typeout{Including only \files.} \includeonly{\files} \fi