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`MakeTeX' script arguments

The first argument to a `MakeTeX' script is always the name of the file to be created.

In the default `MakeTeXPK' implementation, from three to five additional arguments may also passed, via environment variables:

  1. The resolution to make the font at (KPATHSEA_DPI).
  2. The "base dpi" the program is operating at (MAKETEX_BASE_DPI), i.e., the assumed resolution of the output device.
  3. A "magstep" string suitable for the Metafont mag variable (MAKETEX_MAG).
  4. Optionally, a Metafont mode name to assign to the Metafont mode variable (MAKETEX_MODE). Otherwise, (the default) MakeTeXPK guesses the mode from the resolution. See section TeX directory structure.
  5. Optionally, a directory name. If the directory is absolute, it is used as-is. Otherwise, it is appended to the root destination directory set in the script (from environment variables DESTDIR or MTP_DESTDIR or a compile-time default). If this argument is not supplied, the mode name is appended to the root destination directory.

Kpathsea sets KPATHSEA_DPI appropriately for each attempt at building a font. It's up to the program using Kpathsea to set the others. (See section Calling sequence.)

You can change the specification for the arguments passed to the external script by setting the environment variable named as the script name, but all capitals---MAKETEXPK, for example. If you've changed the script name by setting (say) DVIPSMAKEPK to `foo', then the spec is taken from the environment variable FOO.

The spec can contain any variable references, to the above variables or any others. As an example, the default spec for MakeTeXPK is:

$KPATHSEA_DPI $MAKETEX_BASE_DPI $MAKETEX_MAG $MAKETEX_MODE

The convention of passing the name of the file to be created as the first argument cannot be changed.


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