How can I use plain TeX with TeXnicCenter or another IDE?

Question

Currently I use TeCnicCenter and MiKTeX with LaTeX on a Windows machine. I am contemplating using plain TeX for certain purposes. I would like to know how to use TeXnicCenter with plain TeX. I like TeXnicCenter, but I can use another program if I have to. I really dislike the Windows command prompt. If I need to switch, I am not looking for just an editor, but an IDE like TeXnicCenter, if IDE is an appropriate term here.

I want to be able to produce PDF files. I can think of no reason I would want to make Postscript or DVI files.

I am a mathematician, not a computer person, so please over-explain if necessary. I do not enjoy TeX or LaTeX like many people do, but it is free and I think we all agree it produces better-looking output than anything else out there.

Answer 1

Here's a way to do this in TeXnicCenter:

1. Visit your Output Profiles (Build > Define Output Profiles / Alt + F7). TeXnicCenter creates a number of output profiles by default, including one called LaTeX > PS > PDF.

   

2. Make a copy of this and call it TeX > PS > PDF. Then change the "Path to the (La)TeX compiler to use the tex.exe executable rather than latex.exe.

   

3. Use the TeX > PS > PDF profile (Build > Select Output Profile) when you want to compile a TeX document to PDF.

Answer 2

Another approach with some features:

1. You can select compiler: either pdflatex or pdftex.
2. You can specify the number of compilation to get correct cross-referencing.
3. You can remove automatically unused auxiliary files.

Step 1

Create a batch file named MultipleDirectPdf.bat as follows

rem MultipleDirectPdf.bat
echo off

rem %1 Compiler name, either pdflatex or pdftex
rem %2 TeX input filename without extension
rem %3 The number of invocation in draftmode

if exist "%~2.pdf" del "%~2.pdf"

if exist "%~2.tex" for /l %%x in (1,1,%3) do %1 -shell-escape -draftmode -interaction=batchmode "%~2.tex"
if exist "%~2.tex" %1 -shell-escape "%~2.tex"

for %%x in (aux log out toc nav snm) do (if exist "%~2.%%x" del "%~2.%%x")

Save it in a safe directory or make a backup for future use. NOTE: I deliberately enable -shell-escape because I often use it. You should know it is dangerous!

Step 2

Make new output profiles (as explained in @Werner's solution)

You can create as many output profiles as you want with the batch file. For example

• pdftex "%tm" 3 (as used above). It will use pdftex compiler with 4 times compilation (3 times in draft mode and once in default mode).

• pdflatex "%tm" 1. It will use pdflatex compiler with twice compilation (once in draft mode and once in default mode).

• pdflatex "%tm" 10000. It will use pdflatex compiler with 10001 times compilation.

Step 3

If you want to integrate Adobe Reader, do the following. Remember, you have to select the Viewer tab (red framed).

Step 4

Finish and please say goodbye to Arara. :-)