Parsing a Latex string for editing by MathKeyboardEngine

[WCY91]

Hello, I would like to ask if there is a default latex and I want to edit it through this keyboard. Is there any way to do this? Thank you for your answer.

[SymboLinker]

Hi! Your first question is, if I understand correctly, a combination of: - What is Latex? - Are there different types of Latex? - How to learn Latex? Your second question could be interpreted in very different ways: - How do I create an app or website that allows users to edit their Latex? - Is there an already-existing app or website that allows me to edit a Latex document that I want to write? Could you please tell what you already know about Latex and could you specify what you would like to learn? Kind regards, Symbolinker

[SymboLinker]

What I notice now, is that you use String.raw`\frac{' instead of String.raw`\frac{` . Notice that you should use an opening backtick and a closing backtick, just like with other quote types.

If that doesn't solve the problem, please open a new discussion thread at the Discussion page of MathKeyboardEngine for JavaScript, so that this discussion thread continues with the question of parsing LaTeX strings and the new discussion thread is about solving startup problems (those startup struggles might be interesting for other new users of MathKeyboardEngine for JavaScript).

[SymboLinker]

Hi!

I'm happy to share that I've published a pre-release v1.1.0-alpha (EDIT: v1.1.0-alpha.4) of MathKeyboardEngine for JavaScript with the new function parseLatex.

You may want to check out the changes to the example files to know how to implement parseLatex in your own code.

You can also test it via the Live examples page.

A few notes:

• commands of the form \command{}{} and \command[]{} need setup. Currently, the only way to do this is via LatexParserConfiguration.descendingBranchingNodeSlashCommandsWithTwoPairsOfBrackets. I don't know if such a property is also needed for AscendingBranchingNodes.
• commands of the forms \command, \command{}, ^, ^{}, _ and _{} don't need any setup.
• if the input is x^2, then ^ is inserted as a StandardLeafNode. If the input is x^{2}, then a new AscendingBranchingNode('', '^{', '}') is inserted. Analogous for a_1 and a_{1}.
• the brackets (, ), \left( and \right) are inserted as StandardLeafNodes or as a RoundBracketsNode depending on the setting LatexParserConfiguration.useRoundBracketsNode.
• the \text{} command is parsed, but for editing its content, a few tricks are probably needed. For example: how to add a space? You could add a space via a StandardLeafNode. I'm not sure whether I should invest more time in \text support.
• the insert function previously only accepted a single TreeNode, but it can now handle a TreeNode[] too. This makes it easier to insert the result of parseLatex.

Although parseLatex has limitations, I'm quite happy with how much it can handle, given the small amount of code that is consists of and how little "it knows" about specific commands.

Note that this is a pre-release and that breaking changes for the parseLatex feature are probable. For example: the property types of LatexParserConfiguration might change.

I'm curious what equations you're parsing and what your experience is with this new feature. Please feel free to point to bugs or provide feedback about anything.

[SymboLinker]

Hi!

I've just publish pre-release version 1.1.0-alpha.4. The LatexParserConfiguration has changed:

• No configuration is needed anymore for DescendingBranchingNodes.
• The property useRoundBracketsNode has been renamed to preferRoundBracketsNode.

I also did a fix for commands that start with \right or \left like \rightarrow.

The parser now parses \command_{}^{} as a LeafNode \command followed by an AscendingBranchingNode _{}^{}, so that editing the \command is possible without losing the (sub/super)scripts.

Kind regards,
Symbolinker

[WCY91]

Thank you very much for your patient reply. I used to deal with mathematical expressions related to calculus. Now after just testing it, I am very satisfied with the results. Thank you for your efforts to solve my problem. I sincerely hope that this project can be seen by more people. .

[SymboLinker]

Hi!

I've published the new parseLatex function in version 1.1. The LatexParserConfiguration has changed (again) since the latest alpha version. I've added parseLatex and LatexParserConfiguration to the new version of the documentation.

In reply to your message:

I sincerely hope that this project can be seen by more people.

I also hope that developers find this project when needed. Luckily, search engines rank MathKeyboardEngine quite high via search terms like "javascript math keyboard", "python math keyboard", "virtual math keyboard", etcetera, so I think that developers will find it if they search for something like this. I noticed that you have given MathKeyboardEngine for JavaScript a star - thanks! That will certainly help too!

Thank you for your efforts to solve my problem.

I am happy to help. When I have time, I try to create useful things that might have a positive impact. MathKeyboardEngine won't have a very big impact like "free electricity for everyone" or "fully automated production of healthy food (from seeds to shops)", but many small efforts (by multiple people) might have a big impact too. I once wanted to create a full learning program for better math education, but I realized that it would be too big for me to do alone. I also did not want to start a business to realize this goal. I decided to create small parts that might enable other people to build better (educational) software. Then the goal would also be realized. So now you understand why I put in the effort to solve this problem: you (or others) might be building something that I want to exist and MathKeyboardEngine might help you with that.

Good luck!

Kind regards,
Symbolinker