Git + LaTeX on iPad

[icymountain]

I recently got an iPad Pro 10.5" (I upgraded from the Air and am quite impressed so far), and am trying to see how much I can improve my workflow with it.

On my macOS machines, I am using heavily git + LaTeX. Before the iPad Pro and iOS 11, I was using TexWriter on the iPad from time to time (it was very convenient so as to work on a long flight, for instance), but the synchronization was not great. I had to rely on Dropbox or WebDAV, and both were quirky at times. And it was far less convenient than just synchronizing directly with my git repository.

Now, iOS 11 has Files, so I installed "Working Copy" (a git client for the iPad). It does allow me to get the files on the iPad. But I cannot get TexWriter to see them, so I am kind of stuck. Is there another solution, by using either another git client (which one) or another LaTeX App (I know only TexPad that allows to work fully on the iPad, but it is quite expensive, so I would like to buy it only if I am assured it will do what I need).


PS : please do not tell me that I should use a laptop instead; I already do (a lot!!!) and have no plan to stop doing so; I am just investigating whether an iPad workflow is feasible, and would let me carry one less device on some days...

 

[sdz]

use textastic app. Render the doc somewhere else.

 

[icymountain]

Rendering somewhere else is a non starter for me.

A typical use case for the iPad is to edit LaTeX documents on a cramped economy airplane seat where even my MBA is too big to work comfortably. I can take a slower working environment, but cannot delay the evaluation of the output too much (or that defeats the point of working during the flight). Then, obviously rendering somewhere else is not a nice workflow.

TexWriter can render on the iPad, and so does TexPad. Maybe other Apps do. So, I would like to stick with one that does.

 

[sdz]

Rendering somewhere else is a non starter for me.

A typical use case for the iPad is to edit LaTeX documents on a cramped economy airplane seat where even my MBA is too big to work comfortably. I can take a slower working environment, but cannot delay the evaluation of the output too much (or that defeats the point of working during the flight). Then, obviously rendering somewhere else is not a nice workflow.

TexWriter can render on the iPad, and so does TexPad. Maybe other Apps do. So, I would like to stick with one that does.

When TexWriter does not allow to open folders, ditch the app and move on...

 

[icymountain]

When TexWriter does not allow to open folders, ditch the app and move on...

Sure. I am posting this thread precisely to determine which App to use, if any. I am far from sure that there exists one that (1) allows to edit tex nicely, (2) can produce a pdf locally and (3) can use the file system the proper way. If I am doing something wrong, or if some App can, great. If none can, well, I will wait, and keep my current workflow (ie, almost never use the iPad for LaTeX work, even in situations where its size and hardware should let it be the best device).

 

[sdz]

Sure. I am posting this thread precisely to determine which App to use, if any. I am far from sure that there exists one that (1) allows to edit tex nicely, (2) can produce a pdf locally and (3) can use the file system the proper way. If I am doing something wrong, or if some App can, great. If none can, well, I will wait, and keep my current workflow (ie, almost never use the iPad for LaTeX work, even in situations where its size and hardware should let it be the best device).

I think it will need some months till all the app developers implement this new iOS 11 API.

 

[icymountain]

I think it will need some months till all the app developers implement this new iOS 11 API.

Yep, it may well be the case. I am an enthusiastic iPad user, and was always frustrated that the sandboxing gets so much in the way of the user to let Apps really be part of a workflow; I hope that this is behind now that Files is here, and that developers will quickly pick it up.

 

[stephenll]

I recently got an iPad Pro 10.5" (I upgraded from the Air and am quite impressed so far), and am trying to see how much I can improve my workflow with it.

On my macOS machines, I am using heavily git + LaTeX. Before the iPad Pro and iOS 11, I was using TexWriter on the iPad from time to time (it was very convenient so as to work on a long flight, for instance), but the synchronization was not great. I had to rely on Dropbox or WebDAV, and both were quirky at times. And it was far less convenient than just synchronizing directly with my git repository.

Now, iOS 11 has Files, so I installed "Working Copy" (a git client for the iPad). It does allow me to get the files on the iPad. But I cannot get TexWriter to see them, so I am kind of stuck. Is there another solution, by using either another git client (which one) or another LaTeX App (I know only TexPad that allows to work fully on the iPad, but it is quite expensive, so I would like to buy it only if I am assured it will do what I need).


PS : please do not tell me that I should use a laptop instead; I already do (a lot!!!) and have no plan to stop doing so; I am just investigating whether an iPad workflow is feasible, and would let me carry one less device on some days...

$15 is hardly expensive for a well maintained app that does exactly what you are asking for. I know many including myself that rely on the combination of workingcopy and Texpad. I'd rather pay a little more for an app and have it be around and well maintained then a dollar for something that won't be here in a year or two.

 

[DanielDD]

Why don't you use an online solution like ShareLaTex?

 

[sdz]

Why don't you use an online solution like ShareLaTex?

could be because some people signed NDA and are not allowed to share contents of documents to 3rd parties... And to be honest, I would not want to rely on the internet when crafting documents.

 

[icymountain]

$15 is hardly expensive for a well maintained app that does exactly what you are asking for. I know many including myself that rely on the combination of workingcopy and Texpad. I'd rather pay a little more for an app and have it be around and well maintained then a dollar for something that won't be here in a year or two.

While $15 is ok for an App that works, it would be far too much if I end up discovering it does not do what I want and do not use it more than once (and yes, this happened to me for at least one other iOS Apps around that price). ;-)
Do you confirm that you can clone a repository with Working Copy, edit it and render it off-line with TexPad, and commit your changes back ?
The online TexPad documentation reports Dropbox and WebDAV synchronization (just like TexWriter that I did not get to exchange data with Working Copy).

[doublepost=1506924472][/doublepost]

Why don't you use an online solution like ShareLaTex?

A bit of the two reasons mentioned by sdz.
There are documents that I do not wish to let exposed until I actually publish them.
But, mainly, as I explained above I do not want to rely on external rendering, as it is too unreliable when there is no wifi. ;-)

 

[stephenll]

While $15 is ok for an App that works, it would be far too much if I end up discovering it does not do what I want and do not use it more than once (and yes, this happened to me for at least one other iOS Apps around that price). ;-)
Do you confirm that you can clone a repository with Working Copy, edit it and render it off-line with TexPad, and commit your changes back ?
The online TexPad documentation reports Dropbox and WebDAV synchronization (just like TexWriter that I did not get to exchange data with Working Copy).

[doublepost=1506924472][/doublepost]

A bit of the two reasons mentioned by sdz.
There are documents that I do not wish to let exposed until I actually publish them.
But, mainly, as I explained above I do not want to rely on external rendering, as it is too unreliable when there is no wifi. ;-)

I am 100% certain that Texpad can open a file stored in WorkingCopy and render it. Now I only do this with a single Tex file at a time. My style/class file is stored locally in Texpad.

There is documentation on the Texpad website that talks about multiple files and WorkingCopy.

https://www.texpad.com/support/ios/file-management/multifile-documents-with-document-picker

 

[icymountain]

I am 100% certain that Texpad can open a file stored in WorkingCopy and render it. Now I only do this with a single Tex file at a time. My style/class file is stored locally in Texpad.

There is documentation on the Texpad website that talks about multiple files and WorkingCopy.

https://www.texpad.com/support/ios/file-management/multifile-documents-with-document-picker

Thanks, I had not seen this page (although I had done searches on "TexPad Working Copy", not sure how I missed that).
Anyway, this is encouraging even though what they report on multi files documents is a bit of a bummer (some of my LaTeX projects rely on a library of several hundreds of Tikz files and .tex components that I have built over the last five or ten years...), but I can work around this (I have already some hack in mind).

So, if TexWriter does not add a similar support for Files very soon (i.e., the next time I need to use LaTeX on my iPad, probably in a couple of weeks), I will just adopt TexPad!

Thanks to all, the responses were all useful.

 

[garyleecn]

Rendering somewhere else is a non starter for me.

A typical use case for the iPad is to edit LaTeX documents on a cramped economy airplane seat where even my MBA is too big to work comfortably. I can take a slower working environment, but cannot delay the evaluation of the output too much (or that defeats the point of working during the flight). Then, obviously rendering somewhere else is not a nice workflow.

TexWriter can render on the iPad, and so does TexPad. Maybe other Apps do. So, I would like to stick with one that does.

Maybe get an airline elite status and upgrade to first class? Just saying..

 

[icymountain]

Maybe get an airline elite status and upgrade to first class? Just saying..

Or just hire a private jet while I am at it.

Seriously, if I could afford to fly first on long haul, or if my lab would pay for that, would I be looking for things like ways to use LaTeX on a tiny device, during a flight ?

 

[garyleecn]

Or just hire a private jet while I am at it.

Seriously, if I could afford to fly first on long haul, or if my lab would pay for that, would I be looking for things like ways to use LaTeX on a tiny device, during a flight ?

I meant to dig into airline’s frequent flyer program. Since you said you fly a lot, they will upgrade you to first class free.

I pretty much never fly economics on domestic flights, but I ONLY buy the cheapest economy class ticket i can find.

 

[icymountain]

I meant to dig into airline’s frequent flyer program. Since you said you fly a lot, they will upgrade you to first class free.

I pretty much never fly economics on domestic flights, but I ONLY buy the cheapest economy class ticket i can find.

Yes, sure. We are getting off topic, but just to explain:
I booked my next flight just yesterday. International, long haul (12 hours). Lowest fares were about 700€ (not low cost, but still not modifiable and uncomfortable airplane configurations that I try to avoid); lowest decent ones in the 800€-900€ range (I selected one of these); the lowest fares upgradeable to J were close to 1500€ (hard to justify). Business class would be the double of that amount and First would be totally crazy. This is typical of what I fly.

 

[Leo90]

Maybe get an airline elite status and upgrade to first class? Just saying..

That is the typical stupid reply people are getting on this forum recently. Why not suggest the OP to buy his own private jet and a macbook pro 15 inch maxed out instead?

OP, just buy the TexPad app on the App Store and if you are not happy with it ask for a refund on Apple’s website.

 

[garyleecn]

Yes, sure. We are getting off topic, but just to explain:
I booked my next flight just yesterday. International, long haul (12 hours). Lowest fares were about 700€ (not low cost, but still not modifiable and uncomfortable airplane configurations that I try to avoid); lowest decent ones in the 800€-900€ range (I selected one of these); the lowest fares upgradeable to J were close to 1500€ (hard to justify). Business class would be the double of that amount and First would be totally crazy. This is typical of what I fly.

How many miles you fly every year? How many of them are international?
Generally you only need around 5 to 8 round trips of long hauls flight, to pretty much guarantee a free first class upgrade at least on domestic flights
[doublepost=1507625448][/doublepost]

That is the typical stupid reply people are getting on this forum recently. Why not suggest the OP to buy his own private jet and a macbook pro 15 inch maxed out instead?

OP, just buy the TexPad app on the App Store and if you are not happy with it ask for a refund on Apple’s website.

That is the typical stupid reply people are getting on this forum recently.
Please read and understand what you are talking about first.

 

[Leo90]

How many miles you fly every year? How many of them are international?
Generally you only need around 5 to 8 round trips of long hauls flight, to pretty much guarantee a free first class upgrade at least on domestic flights
[doublepost=1507625448][/doublepost]


That is the typical stupid reply people are getting on this forum recently.
Please read and understand what you are talking about first.

All your suggestions have absolutely nothing to do with the particular concern of the OP on a given device. That is what this part of the forum is about, it is about helping other with their iPads and not suggesting workarounds which have nothing to do with the subject.

 

[kiranmk2]

How many miles you fly every year? How many of them are international?
Generally you only need around 5 to 8 round trips of long hauls flight, to pretty much guarantee a free first class upgrade at least on domestic flights
[doublepost=1507625448][/doublepost]

That is the typical stupid reply people are getting on this forum recently.
Please read and understand what you are talking about first.

You clearly haven't ready the information posted by the OP - given that he's quoted fares in Euros it's clear that they are based in the Eurozone and US frequent flyer perks will have little benefit since the EU airlines rarely bump frequent flyers on intra-EU flights and very few airlines (including the US carriers) bump frequent flyers on long haul.

OP - I agree with a previous comment to buy the software and see if it works for you and if not, ask for a refund (I believe this is straight forward if done within a few days of purchase)

 

[Wraithbone]

I recently got an iPad Pro 10.5" (I upgraded from the Air and am quite impressed so far), and am trying to see how much I can improve my workflow with it.

On my macOS machines, I am using heavily git + LaTeX. Before the iPad Pro and iOS 11, I was using TexWriter on the iPad from time to time (it was very convenient so as to work on a long flight, for instance), but the synchronization was not great. I had to rely on Dropbox or WebDAV, and both were quirky at times. And it was far less convenient than just synchronizing directly with my git repository.

Now, iOS 11 has Files, so I installed "Working Copy" (a git client for the iPad). It does allow me to get the files on the iPad. But I cannot get TexWriter to see them, so I am kind of stuck. Is there another solution, by using either another git client (which one) or another LaTeX App (I know only TexPad that allows to work fully on the iPad, but it is quite expensive, so I would like to buy it only if I am assured it will do what I need).


PS : please do not tell me that I should use a laptop instead; I already do (a lot!!!) and have no plan to stop doing so; I am just investigating whether an iPad workflow is feasible, and would let me carry one less device on some days...

I know this is a bit late, but i am using Tex pad and working copy, it works perfectly by doing it like this:

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

 

[Mathias Denichi]

I recently got an iPad Pro 10.5" (I upgraded from the Air and am quite impressed so far), and am trying to see how much I can improve my workflow with it.

On my macOS machines, I am using heavily git + LaTeX. Before the iPad Pro and iOS 11, I was using TexWriter on the iPad from time to time (it was very convenient so as to work on a long flight, for instance), but the synchronization was not great. I had to rely on Dropbox or WebDAV, and both were quirky at times. And it was far less convenient than just synchronizing directly with my git repository.

Now, iOS 11 has Files, so I installed "Working Copy" (a git client for the iPad). It does allow me to get the files on the iPad. But I cannot get TexWriter to see them, so I am kind of stuck. Is there another solution, by using either another git client (which one) or another LaTeX App (I know only TexPad that allows to work fully on the iPad, but it is quite expensive, so I would like to buy it only if I am assured it will do what I need).


PS : please do not tell me that I should use a laptop instead; I already do (a lot!!!) and have no plan to stop doing so; I am just investigating whether an iPad workflow is feasible, and would let me carry one less device on some days...

You should have a laptop instead.But seriously, unless you are a masochist, I would just screen share into a Mac OS/Windows Environment and code on the iPad as a thin client.