l3backend
Provides essential backend driver interfaces for LaTeX3 functionality, enabling consistent behavior across different TeX engines.
Overview
A fundamental infrastructure package that handles the low-level communication between LaTeX3 programming features and various TeX engines. It serves as a crucial bridge ensuring consistent functionality across different compilation methods.
- Manages engine-specific implementations of core LaTeX3 features
- Enables seamless operation of modern LaTeX features across pdfTeX, XeTeX, LuaTeX, and other engines
- Critical for package developers working with LaTeX3 programming
- Updates independently from the core LaTeX3 kernel to provide timely engine-specific optimizations
Getting Started
The l3backend package is automatically loaded by the LaTeX3 programming environment. You don't need to load it directly:
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{expl3} % l3backend is loaded automatically
This package provides backend driver interfaces for LaTeX3 functionality and is selected automatically based on the LaTeX engine you're using (pdfTeX, XeTeX, LuaTeX, etc.).
Examples
Basic document using l3backend with LaTeX3 programming
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{expl3}
\begin{document}
\ExplSyntaxOn
% Using LaTeX3 programming with backend support
\tl_set:Nn \l_tmpa_tl { Hello~from~LaTeX3! }
\tl_use:N \l_tmpa_tl
\ExplSyntaxOff
\end{document}