How to use the command 'tlmgr candidates' (with examples)

The tlmgr candidates command is part of the TeX Live Manager, a tool used for managing TeX Live, the comprehensive TeX document production system. This command helps users identify available candidate repositories from which a particular TeX Live package can be installed. By using this command, users can compare different repository sources and choose the best-suited one for installing or updating a TeX Live package. It is particularly useful for those who manage their TeX installations by selecting repositories with specific package versions or other characteristics.

Use Case: List all available repositories from which a package can be installed

Code:

tlmgr candidates package-name

Motivation:

Imagine you are working on a LaTeX document that relies heavily on a specific package. To ensure compatibility and access to the latest features or bug fixes, you decide it’s a good idea to explore different versions of the package available in various repositories. By listing all candidate repositories, you can make an informed decision about which version to install, ensuring your document compiles smoothly and incorporates the latest advancements.

Explanation:

• tlmgr: This is the TeX Live Manager command-line interface. By invoking tlmgr, you are utilizing the main tool to manage TeX Live installations.

• candidates: This argument tells tlmgr to fetch and display information about the available repositories from which a specified package can be installed. Essentially, it lists the various sources where the particular package is available, allowing users to make a choice based on repository characteristics, such as package version or update frequency.

• package-name: This is a placeholder for the actual name of the package for which you wish to list candidate repositories. By specifying a package name, you focus the query on available repositories that contain that specific package, rather than all possible packages within a repository.

Example Output:

Assuming the package name geometry is used as a placeholder:

Candidate sources:
- http://mirror.ctan.org/systems/texlive/tlnet: geometry.r24095.0_2
- https://ftp.math.utah.edu/pub/tex/historic/systems/texlive/YYYY: geometry.r23467.0_1

In this example output, two repositories are providing different versions of the geometry package. By comparing these, a user can discern potential differences and choose a repository based on needs such as stability or newer features.

Conclusion:

By leveraging the tlmgr candidates command, TeX Live users can efficiently discern the different repositories that offer specific packages. This capability is crucial for maintaining an up-to-date TeX environment that meets various user needs and supports complex document creation workflows. Whether aiming for the latest updates or ensuring package compatibility, understanding the repository landscape is vital, and tlmgr candidates provides the insight necessary for making well-informed installation decisions.