Multi-letter words/identifiers in math

Multi-letter words/identifiers in math

[Shuxian Wang]

[-- Attachment #1.1: Type: text/plain, Size: 1727 bytes --]

Dear list,

I am trying to typeset some multi-letter words/identifiers in 
mathematical formulas. Currently, doing things like `{\it variable}` or 
`{\mathit variable}` under math mode will cause the engine to shift all 
characters into the corresponding unicode mathematical alphanumeric 
block position. However, most OpenType fonts that have good support for 
unicode math are optimized for single-character usage. Therefore, the 
outcome of such method is non-ideal, as no kerning or ligatures will be 
enabled. Especially, this gives bad output when typesetting variable 
names with combinations like “ffi”.

Looking through some past discussions on the list, I am aware of the 
usage of `\mathword` and `\mathtext`. Using those command will keep all 
the characters “as is” and typeset them under text mode (as far as I 
can tell). But those commands switch to the main body fonts temporarily 
to accomplish this. Sometime when using a different math font than the 
main font (like Palatino with Latin Modern Math), I wish my variable 
names can also be in the math font (or at least very similar, such as 
Latin Modern vs. Latin Modern Math) to better merge with the formula.

The way I am currently doing is to introduce some “math text fonts” 
that is different from the main text font but close to the math font. 
And with custom font switchers like `\mwrm` and `\mwit` to help me 
define things like
```
\def\wordrm#1{\mbox{\mwrm #1}}
\def\wordit#1{\mbox{\mwit #1}}
```
Am I missing some builtin functionalities or easier ways to do this? If 
not, would it be a good idea to extend the functionality of `\mathword` 
so it lifts out the restriction of only using the main text font?

Thanks!

Shuxian Wang

[-- Attachment #1.2: Type: text/html, Size: 2936 bytes --]

[-- Attachment #2: Type: text/plain, Size: 493 bytes --]

___________________________________________________________________________________
If your question is of interest to others as well, please add an entry to the Wiki!

maillist : ntg-context@ntg.nl / http://www.ntg.nl/mailman/listinfo/ntg-context
webpage  : http://www.pragma-ade.nl / http://context.aanhet.net
archive  : https://bitbucket.org/phg/context-mirror/commits/
wiki     : http://contextgarden.net
___________________________________________________________________________________

Re: Multi-letter words/identifiers in math

[Hans Hagen]

On 9/29/2019 9:30 AM, Shuxian Wang wrote:
> Dear list,
> 
> I am trying to typeset some multi-letter words/identifiers in 
> mathematical formulas. Currently, doing things like |{\it variable}| or 
> |{\mathit variable}| under math mode will cause the engine to shift all 
> characters into the corresponding unicode mathematical alphanumeric 
> block position. However, most OpenType fonts that have good support for 
> unicode math are optimized for single-character usage. Therefore, the 
> outcome of such method is non-ideal, as no kerning or ligatures will be 
> enabled. Especially, this gives bad output when typesetting variable 
> names with combinations like “ffi”.
> 
> Looking through some past discussions on the list, I am aware of the 
> usage of |\mathword| and |\mathtext|. Using those command will keep all 
> the characters “as is” and typeset them under text mode (as far as I can 
> tell). But those commands switch to the main body fonts temporarily to 
> accomplish this. Sometime when using a different math font than the main 
> font (like Palatino with Latin Modern Math), I wish my variable names 
> can also be in the math font (or at least very similar, such as Latin 
> Modern vs. Latin Modern Math) to better merge with the formula.
> 
> The way I am currently doing is to introduce some “math text fonts” that 
> is different from the main text font but close to the math font. And 
> with custom font switchers like |\mwrm| and |\mwit| to help me define 
> things like
> |
> \def\wordrm#1{\mbox{\mwrm #1}}
> \def\wordit#1{\mbox{\mwit #1}}
> |
> Am I missing some builtin functionalities or easier ways to do this? If 
> not, would it be a good idea to extend the functionality of |\mathword| 
> so it lifts out the restriction of only using the main text font?
maybe \mfunction{...} is what you are looking for

-----------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Hans Hagen | PRAGMA ADE
               Ridderstraat 27 | 8061 GH Hasselt | The Netherlands
        tel: 038 477 53 69 | www.pragma-ade.nl | www.pragma-pod.nl
-----------------------------------------------------------------
___________________________________________________________________________________
If your question is of interest to others as well, please add an entry to the Wiki!

maillist : ntg-context@ntg.nl / http://www.ntg.nl/mailman/listinfo/ntg-context
webpage  : http://www.pragma-ade.nl / http://context.aanhet.net
archive  : https://bitbucket.org/phg/context-mirror/commits/
wiki     : http://contextgarden.net
___________________________________________________________________________________

Re: Multi-letter words/identifiers in math

[Hans Hagen]

On 10/1/2019 6:52 PM, Shuxian Wang wrote:
> Thanks Hans!
> 
> Your suggestion does partially solve the problem, but it seems that 
> `\mfunction` internally called `\rm` to set upright Roman font in math 
> mode. Does achieving the same effects (text-like kerning) for italics 
> and bold style still requires custom fonts?
It depends on the font. A proper opentype math font should have at least 
the basic latin characters for test and these then if needed will have 
kerns and such.

Hans


-----------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Hans Hagen | PRAGMA ADE
               Ridderstraat 27 | 8061 GH Hasselt | The Netherlands
        tel: 038 477 53 69 | www.pragma-ade.nl | www.pragma-pod.nl
-----------------------------------------------------------------
___________________________________________________________________________________
If your question is of interest to others as well, please add an entry to the Wiki!

maillist : ntg-context@ntg.nl / http://www.ntg.nl/mailman/listinfo/ntg-context
webpage  : http://www.pragma-ade.nl / http://context.aanhet.net
archive  : https://bitbucket.org/phg/context-mirror/commits/
wiki     : http://contextgarden.net
___________________________________________________________________________________