1 Introduction to AUCTeX
************************

This section of the AUCTeX manual gives a brief overview of what AUCTeX
is, and the section is also available as a `README' file.  It is *not*
an attempt to document AUCTeX.  Real documentation for AUCTeX is
available in the rest of the manual, which you can find in the `doc'
directory.

   Read the `INSTALL' or `INSTALL.windows' file respectively for
information about how to install AUCTeX.  The files comprise the same
information as the Installation chapter in the AUCTeX manual.

   If you are upgrading from the previous version of AUCTeX, the latest
changes can be found in the `CHANGES' file.  If you are upgrading from
an older version, read the History chapter in the AUCTeX manual.

   AUCTeX is a comprehensive customizable integrated environment for
writing input files for TeX/LaTeX/ConTeXt using GNU Emacs.

   AUCTeX lets you run TeX/LaTeX/ConTeXt and LaTeX/ConTeXt-related
tools, such as a output filters or post processor from inside Emacs.
Especially `running LaTeX' is interesting, as AUCTeX lets you browse
through the errors TeX reported, while it moves the cursor directly to
the reported error, and displays some documentation for that particular
error.  This will even work when the document is spread over several
files.

   AUCTeX automatically indents your `LaTeX-source', not only as you
write it -- you can also let it indent and format an entire document.
It has a special outline feature, which can greatly help you `getting an
overview' of a document.

   Apart from these special features, AUCTeX provides a large range of
handy Emacs macros, which in several different ways can help you write
your LaTeX/ConTeXt documents fast and painlessly.

   All features of AUCTeX are documented using the GNU Emacs online
documentation system.  That is, documentation for any command is just a
key click away!

   AUCTeX is written entirely in Emacs-Lisp, and hence you can easily
add new features for your own needs.  It was not made as part of any
particular employment or project (apart from the AUCTeX project
itself).  AUCTeX is distributed under the `GNU Emacs General Public
License' and may therefore almost freely be copied and redistributed.

   The next sections are a short introduction to some `actual' features.
For further information, refer to the built-in online documentation of
AUCTeX.

1.1 Availability
================

The most recent version is always available at

                                   `http://ftp.gnu.org/pub/gnu/auctex/'

   WWW users may want to check out the AUCTeX page at

                                  `http://www.gnu.org/software/auctex/'

1.2 Contacts
============

Several channels have been established for help, bug reports, feature
requests and general discussion about AUCTeX.  You're very welcome to
join.  If you are only interested in information on updates, you could
refer to the newsgroups `comp.text.tex' and `gnu.emacs.sources'.

   Bug reports on AUCTeX may be sent to <bug-auctex@gnu.org>.  To join
the list send mail to <bug-auctex-subscribe@gnu.org>.

   The AUCTeX maintainers can be reached at <auctex-devel@gnu.org>.
Subscription requests should be sent to
<auctex-devel-subscribe@gnu.org>.

1.2.1 XEmacs and AUCTeX
-----------------------

Note that the XEmacs package version currently lags the upstream
version substantionally.  If you are missing features or there seems to
be a bug in features related to editing documents, you are probably
best advised to remove the XEmacs package and install the upstream
version before contacting the AUCTeX maintainers.

   If you are having trouble installing the XEmacs package, or wish to
help in updating the package version to the current upstream version,
then <xemacs-beta@xemacs.org> is the appropriate channel.

