LyX is a free open source document processor that follows the WYSIWYM paradigma. Some features are
- an easy-to-use graphical user interface,
- graphical representations or previews of tables, math formulas, pictures, graphics within the LyX editor,
- an automatically updated table of contents, lists of figures, tables, equations, citations, index entries... all with hyperlinks within the LyX editor.
The output of LyX is based on (La)TeX by default (though other options exist). Hence, the writing of documents in LyX inherits the power and flexibility of (La)TeX.
For users accustomed to the traditional WYSIWYG document processing software, LyX provides an good opportunity to generate LaTeX documents without knowledge of LaTeX. For users who are already working with (La)TeX, the graphical representations of tables and math mode, the in-document-previews of graphics, and the options to change the document structure rapidly can be useful. Furthermore, several parts of the LyX editor are customizable.
