(groff.info)Invoking groff

---

Next: Tutorial for Macro Users Prev: Introduction Up: Top

---

Enter node , (file) or (file)node

2 Invoking 'groff'
******************

This section focuses on how to invoke the 'groff' front end.  This front
end takes care of the details of constructing the pipeline among the
preprocessors, 'gtroff' and the postprocessor.

   It has become a tradition that GNU programs get the prefix 'g' to
distinguish it from its original counterparts provided by the host (see
Note: Environment, for more details).  Thus, for example, 'geqn' is
GNU 'eqn'.  On operating systems like GNU/Linux or the Hurd, which don't
contain proprietary versions of 'troff', and on MS-DOS/MS-Windows, where
'troff' and associated programs are not available at all, this prefix is
omitted since GNU 'troff' is the only used incarnation of 'troff'.
Exception: 'groff' is never replaced by 'roff'.

   In this document, we consequently say 'gtroff' when talking about the
GNU 'troff' program.  All other implementations of 'troff' are called
AT&T 'troff', which is the common origin of all 'troff' derivates (with
more or less compatible changes).  Similarly, we say 'gpic', 'geqn',
etc.

Groff Options

Environment

Macro Directories

Font Directories

Paper Size

Invocation Examples