The structure of a class or package

 

LaTeX2e classes and packages have more structure than LaTeX 2.09 style files did. The outline of a class or package file is:

Identification

The file says that it is a LaTeX2e package or class, and gives a short description of itself.

Preliminary declarations

Here the file declares some commands and can also load other files. Usually these commands will be just those needed for the code used in the declared options.

Options

The file declares and processes its options.

More declarations

This is where the file does most of its work: declaring new variables, commands and fonts; and loading other files.

• Identification
• Using classes and packages
• Declaring options
• A minimal class file
• Example: a local letter class
• Example: a newsletter class