[comp.text.tex] novice dvi question

ERSHC@CUNYVM (08/21/90)

Are dvi files generally compatable between different TeX packages?
In particular, does anyone know if a .dvi file created by pcTeX
can be printed with an emTeX dvidriver?

Thanks in advance.
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 eric schweitzer                   seek it with thimbles, seek it with care,
                                              pursue it with forks and hope,
 ershc@cunyvm.cuny.edu             threaten its  life with a  railway-share,
      @cunyvm.bitnet                          charm it with smiles and soap.
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colin@array.UUCP (Colin Plumb) (08/25/90)

In article <90232.140410ERSHC@CUNYVM.BITNET> ERSHC@CUNYVM writes:
> Are dvi files generally compatable between different TeX packages?
> In particular, does anyone know if a .dvi file created by pcTeX
> can be printed with an emTeX dvidriver?

DVI files are supposed to be the same anywhere you can agree on the
definition of a byte.  The only trouble you might run into is fonts
which one package might use and another package not supply.  But
to use the TeX (trademark) name, you have to produce a dvi file that's
byte-for-byte identical to that produced by all other TeXs for some
very nasty test cases.
-- 
	-Colin