Typst Document Typesetting System Releases Version 0.15 with New Features

Typst 0.15 Release

Typst, a document typesetting system, has released version 0.15. This update follows version 0.13, which was released a year prior. Typst is designed to typeset documents into formats such as PDF, SVG, and PNG, with HTML support currently in development.

New Features Introduced

Version 0.15 brings several new features to Typst. Key additions include support for variable fonts, MathML, and the ability to manage multiple bibliographies within a document. These features aim to expand Typst's functionality, particularly for technical content.

Variable Font Support

A significant new feature is the integration of variable font support. Unlike traditional fonts distributed as separate files for different weights and styles, variable fonts contain all variations in a single file, saving space and offering greater design flexibility. Typst allows users to control font features and variations by setting values for specific 'axes', which can be discrete or continuous.

Technical Implementation

Typst is free, Apache-2.0-licensed software developed in Rust. The system uses a unique syntax where a '#' character switches to 'code mode' for interpreting Typst's built-in language, while material in square brackets within code mode is treated as text to be typeset.

Impact on Document Preparation

The continuous development of Typst, including these new features, positions it as a potential alternative to established typesetting systems like LaTeX, especially for users working with technical documents. The addition of variable fonts and MathML support addresses common requirements in academic and technical publishing.