java (6070) library (2108) typesetting (190) tex (154)
εχT E X aims at the development of a high quality typesetting system. This development is massively based on the experiences with the typesetting system T E X. Despite of its age T E X can still be considered a very good choice. Nevertheless design decisions which where reasonable at the time of the writing of T E X can nowadays no longer be considered as state of the art.
The stability of T E X is one of its virtues. On the other side it makes it hard to improve the system – even in the few areas which deserve improvements. The new millenium needs a system which is open for further development and at the same time compatible with T E X as much as reasonable.
In December 2002 a small group of experts and developers came together to initiate the development of a new derivate of T E X, based on NTS. Initially there were a few ideas and the necessity to familiarize with existing sources and T E X extensions. After a lot of experiments and examinations, and yet before the group's first closed meeting from October 3 rd to 5 th 2003, it was clear that the ambitious goals could be achieved only if large parts of T E X – and with it NTS – were replaced. This led to the