BibTeX

computer language

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 19, 2026

Quick Summary

BibTeX is a program used to manage bibliographies and create formatted lists of references. It works alongside the TeX computer programming language, which was developed by Donald Knuth to enhance the quality of mathematical notation in publications.12

Unlike WYSIWYG word processors, TeX and its related programs like BibTeX use plain text commands embedded within a document. These commands are then interpreted to produce a formatted output for display or printing. BibTeX, in particular, utilizes style sheets to manage bibliographies in various common styles, making it a powerful tool for academic and technical writing.12

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TeX
…also related programs such as BibTeX, which manages bibliographies and has style sheets for all of the common bibliography styles, and versions of TeX for languages with various alphabets.
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…also related programs such as BibTeX, which manages bibliographies and has style sheets for all of the common bibliography styles, and versions of TeX for languages with various alphabets.
Read More