Universal solution
==================

I sometimes  use the Pluma  [1] text editor (a  Gedit clone which  is a
part of the MATE [2] desktop). It is a nice and simple editor which has
several useful functions like syntax highlighting and spell checking.

I recently used it to edit a LaTeX file (I'm not sure why I decided not
to use  gVim in that moment).  All was OK  but I wanted to  execute the
LaTeX  to translate  the  document.  in the  (g)Vim  I  can execute  an
external command (like ":! latex file"  or just the ":! make") but what
to do here?

The Pluma  supports the  "Build" shortcut (<Ctrl>+<F8>".  This shortcud
just calls  the "make" command in  the directory where the  edited file
is. And it also shows output of  the command. So the only thing one was
to do is making of a simple Makefile...

It  might  seem  to be  impractical  but  it  is  universal -  for  any
compilation or other operation (like  formatting of a document with the
TeX) is  is possible  to write  a Makefile.  Thus there  is no  need to
incorporate strange functions into the text editor.

I don't say that the Vim command line (":!") is worse. But this is also
nice.


Written with the Vim (@S.D.F.), of course.


References:

[1] gopher://gopherpedia.com/0/Pluma%20%28editor%29
[2] https://mate-desktop.org