LGMar 31, 2025

NeuRaLaTeX: A machine learning library written in pure LaTeX

arXiv:2503.24187v21 citationsh-index: 4
Originality Synthesis-oriented
AI Analysis

This is an incremental novelty for researchers or practitioners interested in integrating machine learning workflows directly into LaTeX documents, but it addresses a niche problem with limited practical impact.

The authors introduced NeuRaLaTeX, a deep learning library written entirely in LaTeX that allows users to specify neural network architectures, training data, and hyperparameters within a LaTeX document, which compiles to train models and generate results, as demonstrated by training a two-layer MLP on a spiral dataset in 48 hours.

In this paper, we introduce NeuRaLaTeX, which we believe to be the first deep learning library written entirely in LaTeX. As part of your LaTeX document you can specify the architecture of a neural network and its loss functions, define how to generate or load training data, and specify training hyperparameters and experiments. When the document is compiled, the LaTeX compiler will generate or load training data, train the network, run experiments, and generate figures. This paper generates a random 100 point spiral dataset, trains a two layer MLP on it, evaluates on a different random spiral dataset, produces plots and tables of results. The paper took 48 hours to compile and the entire source code for NeuRaLaTeX is contained within the source code of the paper. We propose two new metrics: the Written In Latex (WIL) metric measures the proportion of a machine learning library that is written in pure LaTeX, while the Source Code Of Method in Source Code of Paper (SCOMISCOP) metric measures the proportion of a paper's implementation that is contained within the paper source. We are state-of-the-art for both metrics, outperforming the ResNet and Transformer papers, as well as the PyTorch and Tensorflow libraries. Source code, documentation, videos, crypto scams and an invitation to invest in the commercialisation of NeuRaLaTeX are available at https://www.neuralatex.com

Foundations

The foundational work for this paper's niche, ranked by how specifically the neighbourhood builds on it — not by global fame.

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