[comp.text] how do .sty, .tex, .fmt etc files fit together

nevin@TUT.CIS.OHIO-STATE.EDU (Nicholas Nevin) (11/20/89)

I have recently obtained a copy of sb26tex for use on my AT. I would like to 
know how all the various files in the TeX system relate.
In particular I would like to know the following:

How do INITEX.EXE and TEX.EXE relate to one another?
Is TEX.EXE just INITEX.EXE that auto loads  plain.fmt?

INITEX creates (using \dump)   plain.fmt   given   plain.tex
as input. As far as I can make out .fmt files are versions of .tex files 
that can be loaded FAST. Is this so?

What is the difference between .sty and .tex files?

When certain styles are loaded are specific fonts (.tfm files) files required?
If so is there an easy way of finding out which   .tfm   font files are needed.

How can I get LATEX on my AT ( do I use INITEX and lplain.tex and latex.tex and
if so how) ?
 
Please email replies.  ( nevin@cis.ohio-state.edu)
 
Thank you,
	Nick.