nonpdfTeX

NonpdfTeX is a label used in the TeX community to describe engines and workflows that do not produce PDF output directly. It contrasts with pdfTeX, XeTeX, and LuaTeX, which generate PDF files as their primary output. In nonpdfTeX usage, TeX sources are compiled into an intermediate format such as DVI, which is then converted to PDF or another target format by separate programs. The distinction reflects different design goals: direct PDF generation versus flexibility of using existing DVI-based tooling and drivers.

A typical nonpdfTeX workflow starts with the classic TeX engine or an extended TeX engine that emits DVI. To obtain a PDF, the DVI must be processed by a separate toolchain, for example dvips followed by a PostScript-to-PDF converter, or dvipdfmx, or a similar DVI-to-PDF path. This approach often interacts with different font technologies and may rely on PostScript or Type 1 fonts rather than embedded PDF fonts.

Despite being less common for new documents, nonpdfTeX remains in use for compatibility with legacy documents, preference for certain workflows, or environments where direct PDF output is restricted. Modern TeX distributions typically support both paradigms, allowing users to choose pdfTeX or a nonpdfTeX workflow as needed. Some engines can operate in a DVI-first mode, but they are typically employed within broader, multi-step pipelines rather than as the default in contemporary TeX publishing.