ASCIIMath

ASCIIMath is a JavaScript library that allows users to write mathematical expressions using a simplified ASCII syntax and have them rendered as professional-looking mathematical notation on a webpage. It was developed by Peter J. Williams. The core idea is to make it easy for people who are not familiar with complex LaTeX commands to embed mathematical formulas in HTML documents.

The syntax is designed to be intuitive and resemble common mathematical notation as much as possible, using standard keyboard characters. For example, to write "x squared," one would type "x^2". Fractions are represented using a forward slash, like "a/b" for a/b. Greek letters and other symbols can often be typed directly or with short abbreviations, such as "pi" for the Greek letter π.

ASCIIMath works by including the JavaScript library in a webpage. Then, mathematical expressions are enclosed within specific delimiters, typically dollar signs ($...$) or double dollar signs ($$...$$). When the page loads, the ASCIIMath JavaScript scans for these delimiters, interprets the ASCII notation within, and replaces it with the corresponding HTML or MathML representation, which web browsers can then render correctly. This makes it a convenient tool for educational websites, forums, or any online content that requires the display of mathematical formulas without requiring users to learn LaTeX.