BaKoMa TeX Intrinsics
Shell Escape

Important

This page describes handling of running shell from TeX in BaKoMa TeX 11.50 and later.

Running programs from TeX (\write18)

Running external programs from TeX using \write18 may noticeably slow down responce of TeXWord. TeXWord reprocess current page at almost every keystroke. So, programs executed by \write18 also will be run at almost every keystroke. When TeX works in the batch it may be acceptable.

In this reason, we provide separate control under run of programs from Centaur and TeXWord.

Control under (\write18)

One important parameter enable/disable shell escape
when TeX is running from Centaur/TeXCode.

Open dialog by using the menu (in Centaur/TeXCode):
'Options / TeX Running Parameters'.

Then check on/off the box:
Enable system call via \write18 under Centaur/TeXCode

If disabled: all \write18 are just skipped.

If enabled: TeX runs predefined programs, and any programs which you will define using 'External Programs' dialog.

button launches 'External Programs' dialog.

Second important parameter enable/disable shell escape when TeX is running from TeXWord. Open dialog by using the menu (in TeXWord): 'Options / TeX Running Parameters'. Then check on/off the box: Enable system call via \write18 under TeXWord Important: enabling shell escape (\write18) under TeXWord will slow down responce on keystrokes. In most cases this slow down will be very noticeable.

Searching Program to run.

When \write18 is enabled BaKoMa TeX searches program in following order:

• Definition in [Externals] section of $TEXDIR/TEXMF.INI file (in BaKoMa TeX installation folder).
  If definition is set to '-' run of this command is disallowed and search stopped.
• Check *.CMD file in $BKMDIR (C:\BaKoMa.TeX\BaKoMa)
• Search program 'Program' path (BIN\WIN32, BIN\WIN64, BIN\linux, BIN\MacOS) depending on current architecture.
• Definition if [Externals] section of $TEXMFUSER\TEXMF.INI
  NOTE: If definition is absent the value '-' is set and alarm button is shown.

User can click on the button . which will open 'External Programs' dialog.

Dialog try find programs in path and suggest them for user. However, user can change any suggested program and allow any program.

Default definitions in ($TEXDIR/TEXMF.INI) file are:

[Externals]
bibedit=-
centaur=-
console=-
dview=-
mathinput=-
messages=-
metahelp=-
postwin=-
postwx=-
SETUP=-
texopen=-
uninst=-
wget=-
EDITOR=centaur

Commonly, they lock running of GUI programs from BaKoMa TeX BIN folder.
In advance, it defines error handling editor for TeX and eTeX.