Dvips: Difference between revisions

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{{lowercase|title=dvips}}

'''dvips''' is a [[computer program]] that converts the [[DVI file format|Device Independent file format (DVI)]] output of [[TeX]] [[typography]] into a printable or otherwise presentable form. {{mono|dvips}} was written by [[Tomas Rokicki]] to produce printable [[PostScript]] files from DVI input, and is now commonly used for general DVI conversion.

The TeX typesetting system outputs DVI files which are intended to be [[device independent|independent of the output device]]. In particular, they are not understood by [[computer printer|printer]]s and lack information such as [[font]] shapes. Thus, a converter (i.e., a [[Front and back ends|backend]]) is needed to translate from a DVI file to a printer language. Although other DVI backends such as [[dvilj]] exist, {{mono|dvips}} is one of the most common ways of printing DVI files. Another, more recent solution is the use of [[pdfTeX]] to directly generate [[Portable Document Format|PDF]] files, which have readers for most platforms. Given its importance, {{mono|dvips}} is a standard part of most TeX distributions, such as [[teTeX]], and [[TeX Live]].

In [[computing]], '''dvips''' is the most widely used program for converting the output of the [[TeX]] typesetting system into a printable form.

By using TeX <code>\special</code> commands, it is possible to directly insert "literal PostScript" into the DVI file and have such snippets of PostScript appear in the final file generated by {{mono|dvips}}. This flexibility allows the user to include, say, watermarks on his document (especially via the use of proper packages<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctan.org/tex-archive/macros/latex/contrib/eso-pic/|title=CTAN: /tex-archive/macros/latex/contrib/eso-pic|website=Ctan.org|accessdate=9 October 2018}}</ref>) or further postprocess the PostScript file.

TeX outputs [[DVI file format|device independent]] (DVI) files, which as the name implies, are intended to be independent of the output device. In particular, they are not understood by [[computer printer|printer]]s and lack information such as [[font]] shapes. Thus a backend is needed to translate from a DVI file to a printer language.

When producing postscript files, dvips embeds fonts inside the file. Most recent distributions will normally embed scalable fonts, also known as [[Type 1 font]]s. Files generated with older distributions, however, may embed raster fonts. To substitute raster for scalable fonts in a postscript file in a situation where the original dvi file is unavailable use a utility called [[pkfix]].

dvips was written by [[Tomas Rokicki]] to produce printable [[PostScript]] files from DVI input. By using TeX <tt>\special</tt> commands, it is possible to insert literal PostScript into the DVI file and have it appear in the output once it has passed through dvips. This allows great flexibility and is exploited by graphics packages such as <tt>[[pstricks]]</tt>.

==References==

Although other DVI backends such as [[dvilj]] exist, dvips is by far the most ubiquitous way of printing DVI files. (Though using [[pdftex]] to directly generate [[Portable Document Format|PDF]] files has been gaining popularity.) As such, it is a standard part of most [[TeX distribution]]s.

{{Reflist}}

==External links==

* [http://www.radicaleye.com/dvips.html Official website]

[[Category:PostScript]]

[[Category:Free TeX software]]

[[ja:Dvips]]

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