0. Basic Concepts to Understand Before Writing LaTeX

Structure of a LaTeX Document

A LaTeX document can be divided into three main parts:

1. Preamble: The section where the basic settings of the document are configured

2. Document Body: The section where the actual content is written

3. End of Document: The section where the document ends

First, you configure the basic settings in the preamble, and then write the actual content in the document body.
Note that any content written after \end{document} in the document body is completely ignored.

Once your document is written like this, you can compile it to produce a PDF file.

In other words, writing in LaTeX is not just about writing text —
it's helpful to understand it as a process of "Design (Preamble) → Build (Body) → Complete (Compile)".

The Preamble is the Blueprint

In a LaTeX document, the front part is called the “Preamble.”

The section between the \documentclass and \begin{document} commands acts as the "head" of the document, where the overall settings of the document are pre-defined.

In the preamble, you configure several important elements:

• Document Class: Use the \documentclass command to set the type of document (e.g., article, report, book, etc.)

• Font and Layout Settings: Adjust details such as font type, font size, spacing, and paper size

• Using Packages: Use the \usepackage command to add various features
  (for example, making it easier to write mathematical symbols, insert images, etc.)

Shall we take a look at an example of a preamble together?

Since the preamble serves as the "blueprint" of the document, you must create the basic structure before writing any content in the main body.

\documentclass{article}     % 문서 종류, 용지, 글자 크기 설정
\usepackage{graphicx}       % 이미지 삽입을 위한 패키지 설정

\title{Paper}               % 문서 제목
\author{Author}             % 작성자 이름

% 여기 아래로 문서 본문 입력
\begin{document}

\maketitle                  % 제목, 이름, 날짜 출력

\end{document}

When you create a blank project in Murfy, a default preamble is automatically included.
Thanks to this, you don’t need to memorize the preamble code — you can start writing the main content right away and naturally learn the structure of LaTeX as you go.

Magical Tool , Packages

LaTeX provides enough built-in functionality to write documents, but it tends to be rather minimalistic.
Especially when you want to include images or express mathematical formulas more richly, the basic features might feel limiting.

That’s when you need something called a “Package.”

In LaTeX, packages work like plugins that extend the functionality of the system.
They allow you to handle complex and specialized tasks much more easily than you could in word processors or other document programs.

For example, with the TikZ package, you can draw complex mathematical diagrams.
The minted package allows you to apply syntax highlighting to source code, which is useful when writing tutorials or technical documents.
You can even use the MusiXTeX package to create beautiful sheet music!

The Role of Packages

Function Expansion and Document Customization

Thanks to the abundance of packages, LaTeX has evolved beyond a simple document-writing tool into a powerful system with virtually limitless capabilities.
It’s no exaggeration to say that the real power of LaTeX comes from its packages.

By using packages, you can easily add a wide range of features tailored to the purpose of your document.

Even if a certain function is difficult to implement from scratch, as long as someone has created a package for it, you can simply import and apply it right away.
This reduces working time and greatly improves both efficiency and productivity.

You can also customize visual elements like adding hyperlinks, changing colors, or modifying fonts to suit your preferences—
making it easy to create a document that truly feels like “your own.”

Advantages and Challenges of Using Packages

Using packages in LaTeX can unlock a vast range of possibilities, but at first, it might feel a bit overwhelming.

What should I use?

There are a huge number of LaTeX packages.
So, even figuring out “Which package does what I want?” can be challenging in itself.

Multiple packages with similar functions

Sometimes, several packages exist that offer the same functionality.
In these cases, it can be confusing to know which one to use, and you'll need to compare them to determine which is more suitable.

Conflicts between packages

Some packages internally depend on other packages.
If you update one package, it may unintentionally cause conflicts with others. This happens often in large, long-term documents or projects.

Unmaintained packages

Most packages are open source and free to use, but not all are actively maintained.
If you use a package that’s no longer maintained by the developer, you might face issues later that are difficult to resolve.

Understanding the LaTeX Compiler

In LaTeX, the text or commands you write aren’t immediately turned into a PDF. You need a tool in between called a compiler.

• pdfLaTeX: The most commonly used basic compiler.
  It's suitable for writing documents in English or when you only need simple equations and images.

• XeLaTeX: A compiler ideal for CJK characters like Korean, Japanese, and Chinese.
  It has the advantage of allowing you to use system-installed fonts directly.

• LuaLaTeX: Similar to XeLaTeX, but slightly more advanced and flexible.
  It's been gaining popularity recently.

Currently, Murfy provides all three compilers.
You can select the appropriate compiler for your document from the editor settings menu while working on your file!

Essential Packages and Korean Thesis Tips for Beginners

Recommended Essential Packages

Here are some packages recommended for those new to LaTeX.

You remember how to use the \usepackage command in the preamble, right?
In Murfy, we recommend testing out your document by adding the packages below and writing simple content.

• amsmath: For writing mathematical equations

• graphicx: For inserting images

• hyperref: For hyperlinks and clickable table of contents

• kotex: For simple Korean language support

Murfy’s Recommended Methods for Using Korean in LaTeX

LaTeX is primarily designed with English document writing in mind.

Since the structure of Korean and English text is different, simply typing Korean directly into a LaTeX editor may cause broken characters or improper rendering.

But don’t worry! Below are easy ways to write Korean documents using packages, classes, or compiler options.

Basic Korean Support

If you want to write Korean in a simple way, use a standard class like \documentclass together with the \usepackage{kotex} command.
This is the easiest way to output Korean correctly.

Thesis/Report Style

If you're writing in Korean and want to apply a thesis or report-style layout, try using the oblivoir document class.
This class includes the kotex package automatically, so you don’t need to declare it separately.

System Font Support

To use fonts installed on your computer, use the XeLaTeX compiler.
Then, you can set your desired font by adding commands like the ones below to the preamble.

\usepackage{xeCJK}                   % XeLaTeX에서 한글 사용을 위한 패키지
\setmainfont{Noto Serif}             % 영문 기본 폰트 지정
\setCJKmainfont{Noto Serif CJK KR}   % 한글(한자 포함) 기본 폰트 지정
\xeCJKsetup{CJKspace=true}           % 한글과 한글 사이 공백을 띄어쓰기처럼 인식

Murfy provides a method for applying system fonts to make writing in Korean easier.

When you select the XeLaTeX compiler from the editor settings menu, Murfy automatically applies the appropriate packages for writing in Korean.
With this method, you can write Korean documents immediately without needing additional configuration.

(→ For more details on how to apply system fonts, check out the blog post linked here.)

So far, we’ve briefly explored the basics of LaTeX — including its structure, the preamble, packages, and how to use Korean in your document.
Once you understand these basic principles, you'll see that LaTeX allows for much more freedom and power in formatting documents than typical word processors.

Now, you're all set to start writing your LaTeX document! ✨

In the next post, we’ll cover one of the most fundamental topics:
how to structure content within the document using LaTeX environment settings.