(groff.info)Invoking groff

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2 Invoking `groff'
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This section focuses on how to invoke the `groff' front end.  This
front end takes care of the details of constructing the pipeline among
the preprocessors, `gtroff' and the postprocessor.

   It has become a tradition that GNU programs get the prefix `g' to
distinguish it from its original counterparts provided by the host (see
Note: Environment, for more details).  Thus, for example, `geqn' is
GNU `eqn'.  On operating systems like GNU/Linux or the Hurd, which
don't contain proprietary versions of `troff', and on
MS-DOS/MS-Windows, where `troff' and associated programs are not
available at all, this prefix is omitted since GNU `troff' is the only
used incarnation of `troff'.  Exception: `groff' is never replaced by
`roff'.

   In this document, we consequently say `gtroff' when talking about
the GNU `troff' program.  All other implementations of `troff' are
called AT&T `troff' which is the common origin of all `troff' derivates
(with more or less compatible changes).  Similarly, we say `gpic',
`geqn', etc.

Groff Options

Environment

Macro Directories

Font Directories

Paper Size

Invocation Examples