TeX outputs a file in DVI (DeVice Independent) format as a compact representation of the original document. DVI files can be translated to meet the requirements of a real physical device, such as PostScript printers (see section `Introduction' in Dvips), PCL printers (see dvilj(1)), and X displays (see xdvi(1)). In fact, DVI translators are available for virtually all common devices: see `CTAN:/dviware' (for CTAN info, see section `unixtex.ftp' in Kpathsea).
For the precise definition of the DVI file format, see (for example) the source file `web2c/dvitype.web'.
The DVI-processing programs in the Web2c distribution are not device drivers; they perform generic utility functions.
DVIcopy reads a DVI file, expands any references to virtual fonts (see section `Virtual fonts' in Dvips) to base fonts, and writes the resulting DVI file. Thus you can use virtual fonts even if your DVI processor does not support them, by passing the documents through DVIcopy first. Synopsis:
dvicopy [option]... [indvi[.dvi] [outdvi[.dvi]]]
DVIcopy reads standard input if indvi is not specified, and writes standard output if outdvi is not specified.
The program accepts the following options, as well as the standard `-help' and `-version' (see section 3.2 Common options):
\mag parameter.
\count0...9 parameters at \shipout time; `*'
matches anything. Examples: `3', `1.*.-4'.
DVItype translates a DeVice Independent (DVI) file (as output by TeX, for example) to a plain text file that humans can read. It also serves as a DVI-validating program, i.e., if DVItype can read a file, it's correct. Synopsis:
dvitype [option]... dvifile[.dvi]
DVItype does not read any bitmap files, but it does read TFM files for
fonts referenced in dvifile. The usual places are searched
(see section `Supported file formats' in Kpathsea). To see all the
relevant paths, set the environment variable KPATHSEA_DEBUG to
`-1' before running the program.
Output goes to standard output.
The program accepts the following options, as well as the standard `-help' and `-version' (see section 3.2 Common options):
\mag parameter.
\count0...9 parameters at \shipout time; `*'
matches anything. Examples: `1', `5.*.-9'.
As an example of the output from DVItype (see section above), here is its (abridged) translation of the `story.dvi' resulting from running the example in The TeXbook, with `-output-level=4' and `-show-opcodes' on.
...
Options selected:
Starting page = *
Maximum number of pages = 1000000
Output level = 4 (the works)
Resolution = 300.00000000 pixels per inch
numerator/denominator=25400000/473628672
magnification=1000; 0.00006334 pixels per DVI unit
' TeX output 1992.05.17:0844'
Postamble starts at byte 564.
maxv=43725786, maxh=30785863, maxstackdepth=3, totalpages=1
Font 33: cmsl10---loaded at size 655360 DVI units
Font 23: cmbx10---loaded at size 655360 DVI units
Font 0: cmr10---loaded at size 655360 DVI units
42: beginning of page 1
87: push {141}
level 0:(h=0,v=0,w=0,x=0,y=0,z=0,hh=0,vv=0)
88: down3 -917504 {159} v:=0-917504=-917504, vv:=-58
92: pop {142}
...
104: putrule {137} height 26214, width 30785863 (2x1950 pixels)
113: down3 5185936 {159} v:=655360+5185936=5841296, vv:=370
117: push {141}
level 1:(h=0,v=5841296,w=0,x=0,y=0,z=0,hh=0,vv=370)
118: right4 12265425 {146} h:=0+12265425=12265425, hh:=777
[ ]
123: fntdef1 23 {243}: cmbx10
145: fntnum23 {194} current font is cmbx10
146: setchar65 h:=12265425+569796=12835221, hh:=813
147: w3 251220 {150} h:=12835221+251220=13086441, hh:=829
151: setchar83 h:=13086441+418700=13505141, hh:=856
...
164: setchar82 h:=17448202+565245=18013447, hh:=1142
165: x0 -62805 {152} h:=18013447-62805=17950642, hh:=1138
166: setchar89 h:=17950642+569796=18520438, hh:=1174
[A SHORT STORY]
167: pop {142}
level 1:(h=0,v=5841296,w=0,x=0,y=0,z=0,hh=0,vv=370)
...
550: pop {142}
level 0:(h=0,v=42152922,w=0,x=0,y=0,z=0,hh=0,vv=2670)
551: down3 1572864 {159} v:=42152922+1572864=43725786, vv:=2770
555: push {141}
level 0:(h=0,v=43725786,w=0,x=0,y=0,z=0,hh=0,vv=2770)
556: right4 15229091 {146} h:=0+15229091=15229091, hh:=965
561: setchar49 h:=15229091+327681=15556772, hh:=986
[ 1]
562: pop {142}
level 0:(h=0,v=43725786,w=0,x=0,y=0,z=0,hh=0,vv=2770)
563: eop {140}
Explanation:
Go to the first, previous, next, last section, table of contents.