Mdframed Infinite Loop Within Declare Theorem Style

Introduction

LaTeX is a powerful typesetting system used for creating high-quality documents, particularly in the fields of mathematics, science, and academia. However, even with its vast capabilities, LaTeX can sometimes be finicky, and errors can occur. In this article, we will discuss a specific issue related to the mdframed package and the declare theorem style command, which can lead to an infinite loop.

Background

The mdframed package is a popular choice for creating framed environments in LaTeX, such as theorems, lemmas, and proofs. It provides a flexible way to customize the appearance of these environments, including the frame style, padding, and more. The declare theorem style command, on the other hand, is used to define a custom theorem style that can be used throughout a document.

The Issue

When using the declare theorem style command with the mdframed package, an infinite loop can occur if the theorem style is not properly defined. This can happen when the theorem style is referenced before it is defined, or when there is a circular reference between theorem styles.

Example Code

Here is an example code snippet that demonstrates the issue:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{mdframed}
\usepackage{thmtools}
\declaretheoremstyle[
mdframed,
backgroundcolor=gray!20,
nobreak=true,
notitle=true
]{mytheoremstyle}
\declaretheorem[style=mytheoremstyle]{mytheorem}
\begin{document}
\begin{mytheorem}
This is a theorem.
\end{mytheorem}
\end{document}

In this example, we define a custom theorem style called mytheoremstyle using the declare theorem style command. We then declare a theorem called mytheorem using the declare theorem command and referencing the mytheoremstyle style.

The Problem

The problem arises when we try to compile this code. LaTeX will enter an infinite loop, repeatedly trying to process the mytheoremstyle style and the mytheorem theorem. This can lead to a stack overflow error or a timeout.

Debugging the Issue

To debug this issue, we need to identify the source of the infinite loop. In this case, the problem is that the mytheoremstyle style is referenced before it is defined. To fix this, we can simply move the definition of the mytheoremstyle style above the declaration of the mytheorem theorem.

Corrected Code

Here is the corrected code snippet:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{mdframed}
\usepackage{thmtools}
\declaretheoremstyle[
mdframed,
backgroundcolor=gray!20,
nobreak=true,
notitle=true
]{mytheoremstyle}
\declaretheorem[style=mytheoremstyle]{mytheorem}
\begin{document}
\begin{mytheorem}
This is a theorem.
\end{mytheorem}
\end{document}

By moving the definition of the mytheoremstyle style above the declaration of the mytheorem theorem, we break the circular reference and the infinite loop.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the mdframed package and the declare theorem style command can be a powerful combination for creating custom theorem styles in LaTeX. However, they can also lead to infinite loops if not used properly. By understanding the issue and debugging the code, we can identify and fix the problem, resulting in a correctly compiled document.

Best Practices

To avoid this issue in the future, here are some best practices to keep in mind:

• Always define custom theorem styles before referencing them.
• Avoid circular references between theorem styles.
• Use the declare theorem style command to define custom theorem styles.
• Use the declare theorem command to declare theorems that reference custom theorem styles.

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the issue of infinite loops that can occur when using the mdframed package and the declare theorem style command in LaTeX. We also provided an example code snippet and corrected it to avoid the infinite loop. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions related to this issue.

Q: What is the cause of the infinite loop?

A: The infinite loop is caused by a circular reference between the theorem style and the theorem declaration. When the theorem style is referenced before it is defined, LaTeX enters an infinite loop, repeatedly trying to process the theorem style and the theorem declaration.

Q: How can I avoid the infinite loop?

A: To avoid the infinite loop, you can define the custom theorem style before referencing it. You can also use the declare theorem style command to define the custom theorem style and the declare theorem command to declare the theorem that references the custom theorem style.

Q: What is the difference between declare theorem style and declare theorem?

A: The declare theorem style command is used to define a custom theorem style, while the declare theorem command is used to declare a theorem that references a custom theorem style. The declare theorem style command defines the appearance of the theorem, including the frame style, padding, and more, while the declare theorem command declares the theorem and applies the custom theorem style.

Q: Can I use the mdframed package with other theorem packages?

A: Yes, you can use the mdframed package with other theorem packages, such as thmtools and thmbox. However, you need to be careful when using multiple theorem packages, as they may conflict with each other.

Q: How can I customize the appearance of the theorem?

A: You can customize the appearance of the theorem by using the declare theorem style command to define a custom theorem style. You can specify the frame style, padding, and other options to create a unique appearance for your theorem.

Q: Can I use the mdframed package with other LaTeX environments?

A: Yes, you can use the mdframed package with other LaTeX environments, such as article, report, and book. However, you need to be careful when using multiple LaTeX environments, as they may conflict with each other.

Q: How can I troubleshoot the infinite loop issue?

A: To troubleshoot the infinite loop issue, you can use the latex command with the -interaction=errorstopmode option to stop the compilation process when an error occurs. You can also use the latex command with the -halt-on-error option to stop the compilation process when an error occurs.

Q: Can I use the mdframed package with other LaTeX compilers?

A: Yes, you can use the mdframed package with other LaTeX compilers, such as pdflatex, lualatex, and `xelatex However, you need to be careful when using multiple LaTeX compilers, as they may conflict with each other.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the mdframed package and the declare theorem style command can be a powerful combination for creating custom theorem styles in LaTeX. However, they can also lead to infinite loops if not used properly. By understanding the issue and debugging the code, we can identify and fix the problem, resulting in a correctly compiled document.

Best Practices

To avoid the infinite loop issue in the future, here are some best practices to keep in mind:

• Always define custom theorem styles before referencing them.
• Avoid circular references between theorem styles.
• Use the declare theorem style command to define custom theorem styles.
• Use the declare theorem command to declare theorems that reference custom theorem styles.
• Use the latex command with the -interaction=errorstopmode option to stop the compilation process when an error occurs.
• Use the latex command with the -halt-on-error option to stop the compilation process when an error occurs.

By following these best practices, you can create custom theorem styles with the mdframed package and the declare theorem style command without encountering infinite loops.