Dear author,
We prepared a LaTeX file with the basic defnitions and notation
for the MDP book, as well as templates for two versions of LaTeX.
The easiest way to read about our notation, conventions and definitions
is to download one of the notation files:
notation.dvi file,
notation.ps file or
notation.pdf file.
In addition, to see how this was produced, we suggest you also download the
appropriate version of the source file notation.tex:
we have one version
for users of the new LaTeX2e, and another version
for users of the older LaTeX (LaTeX 2.09?).
If you run LaTeX on this file, you should produce 8 pages, including
examples and notation.
This is not our introduction, and it is not in
final form. However, we will keep the labels, so if you refer to them you will
have a valid reference in the final version.
Please use our definitions and style if at all possible.
This means using
our notation and conventions, as specified in the Definitions file
(notation.tex), as well our LaTeX definitions and constructs, such as the
symbols (LaTeX commands for state space, action space, etc.),
the "Proof" and "End of proof" style, etc., as specified in any of the LaTeX
files we provide.
This will allow us to edit the appearance of the book after all papers
are submitted, and will result in a book that is easier to read.
We believe it would be easiest if you use the template file "template.tex"
as your main file: it includes many definitions. Download the version
for users of the new LaTeX2e, or the version
for users of the older LaTeX, enter
title of article/authors/abstract at the designated places and start writing!
(Note: after we recieve the files, we will edit them so as to produce a book.
in particular, the author names will be associated with the articles.)
Please write author names and
affiliations in the way you want them in the final version: we will
adapt them to the standard format later, if necessary.
Please read the instructions for the template file below.
Another option is simply to copy our definitions (from the appropriate
template file) and write a paper in the
usual "article" style of LaTeX. We will do the necessary changes when the
paper is submitted in final form. This is more complicated for us.
Using the "index" command.
In the notation file we show how to use the "index" command, both for
a standard entry, as well as for a sub-entry. This is not intended to be
complete: just to show how to use it. Note that you will NOT SEE
an index when you run LaTeX. If you want to see it:
If the program reports errors related to the "index" or "makeindex" options,
you can comment out lines 3,4 and uncomment line 5. In this case you can
still enter indexing commands, but the program will not process them. The
advantage is that we will be able to use them in our final editing.
Users of the New LaTeX (LaTeX2e):
If you encounter a problem running this LaTeX file, then you may be missing
one of the standard packages (amsmath or amsfonts). In this case:
Feel free to contact
Adam with any questions.
Best wishes,
The editors.
1. Uncomment (remove the "%") before the "\printindex" command
2. Run LaTeX as usual
3. Now give the command makeindex "filename": here "filename" is the name
of the file you are editing, WITHOUT the ".tex" extension.
4. Run LaTeX one more time. You will now see an index as the last page.
- Comment (put a % at the beginning of the line) the "\iftrue" statement,
line 2 of the file,
- Uncomment (remove the % from the beginning of the line) the next line (3)
- Please CONTINUE using our symbols.
Last update March 7, 1999