latex

[kalos]

hello!

it seems latex is the preferred system to write technical/math documents

but I find it hard to learn all these commands

the best method to learn them is by using them, but I don't want to check a book all the time to see which command I should use

instead, I would like a GUI (webpage or app) that will have buttons to generate the latex code for me

eg. will have a square root button and by clicking it, it should pop out the latex code

is there anything like this?

thanks!

[KynloStephen66515]

Well...I must say, when I clicked this post, I was expecting something completely different..........

[kalos]

Well...I must say, when I clicked this post, I was expecting something completely different..........

like what?

[Edvard]

The best graphical interface to Latex is (arguably) Lyx.  Read Superboyac's experiences (and the ensuing advice storm) with it here:
http://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=26079.0

As I said there:

Here's where I try to cut it short and say RTFM (Read The Free Manual).  As in, go through the Help menu; the Tutorial, Users Guide, Customization, etc.  Read ALL of it; it's very thorough and informative.
Really, it'll help A LOT.

Just sitting down and playing with the options will probably get you a few down the road, just not as far.

Lyx gives you a nice GUI and writing/tagging environment, which is what most people are comfortable with, but like anything, LaTex/Lyx has a learning curve.  If you can see what it will eventually do for you, then taking the time to sit down and learn it will be worth it.  

Check out this screencast.  If you're into the math functions, this demonstrates how easy it can be:
http://wiki.lyx.org/uploads/LyX/Screencasts/LyXIntroPalette.htm

[kalos]

I did downloaded Lyx

but you must already know the latex commands in order to type them and use them

I, instead, need something that will visually help me type latex code and thus help me learn latex

isn't there anything like this?

or maybe I miss something with Lyx?

[Edvard]

Ah, I thought you wanted to keep away from using manual tags altogether, Lyx lets you just apply section styles as you write.  I don't see where you have to manually insert commands right off.

There IS a mode you can use (that I forget at the moment), that lets you see the raw, tagged text in a split window from the formatted text.
EDIT: Ah, here it is, but you can't edit the raw document directly, you can only make changes and see the TeX code it generates.
From the top menu, click "View", then check "Source pane".  While you're at it, click "Outline pane" too.  Makes it easy to see an overview of the document and where you are in it.

Seriously, go through some of the tutorials and help files, they help a LOT.

[Attronarch]

My preferred LaTeX editor is TexMaker. Kalos, it has what you are looking for, in the drop-down menus «LaTeX» and «Math», as well as left side panel symbols.

[kalos]

My preferred LaTeX editor is TexMaker. Kalos, it has what you are looking for, in the drop-down menus «LaTeX» and «Math», as well as left side panel symbols.

I just installed TexMaker.
It seems very hard to use program for people who are new to this.
I was expecting a GUI of mathematical symbols, that when you click on each icon, to display an example on how to use the code to generate what you want
is there anything like this?

[Attronarch]

It has GUI for mathematical symbols. Activate «Structure», and scroll through the symbols in the vertical toolbar.

But it will not display examples. That is what LaTeX books are for.