LAMS-TeX provides three basic extensions to AMS-TeX:

• (1)As the ‘L’ in the name implies, LAMS-TeX provides the functionality of LaTeX, including (a) automatic numbering, together with symbol labelling and cross-referencing, for equation numbers, lists, chapter and section headings, figure captions, theorems, lemmas, etc., etc.; (b) automatic placement of floating figures; (c) automatic table of contents generation and tools for creating an index; (d) literal mode; and (e) bibliographies (including interfacing with BIBTeX, if desired). However the approach is rather different, with syntax that is generally much more concise, and designed to provide the user with much greater flexibility.

• (2)There are special macros, and extra fonts, for easily producing complicated commutative diagrams; the results are at least as good as those found in any professional books and journals. There are also special macros for partitioned matrices and “bordered matrices”.

• (3)Finally, extensive table macros provide all the special refinements expected from professional typesetters.