[Tex/LaTex] Difference between `$…$` and `\m`

contextmath-mode

In ConTeXt wiki: Math, it is said that \m, \math, \mathematics are the same as $...$.
My guess is that \m wraps $...$ in ConTeXt the same way as \(\) wraps $...$, is that so? Are there any advantage or disadvantage between $...$ and \m? (Like, better robustness, or clearer error messages) I really expect that a lookup of manual suffices, but I can't find anything in ConTeXt, the Manual, nor in ConTeXt, an Excursion.

Best Answer

First it should be noted that \m and \math are actually just shorthands for \mathematics.

The biggest difference between \m{...} and $...$ is that you can nest \m{...}.

\starttext
\m{e^x = \sum_{k = 0}^\infty \m{\frac{x^k}{k!}}}
\stoptext

That allows you to set a value to \m{...} and use the value both in text and math mode.

In principle \mathematics has an optional argument using which you can locally use \setupmathematics. However, when preparing a MWE for this answer I might have found a bug in there (https://mailman.ntg.nl/pipermail/ntg-context/2019/094137.html). Adding \everymathematics manually fixes the problem.

\starttext

The greek letter should be upright here

\m[lcgreek=normal]{\varphi}

\m[lcgreek=normal]{\the\everymathematics\varphi}

\stoptext

An additional convenience is that \m{...} is a command, whereas $...$ is not, so you can use \m in places where a command is required, e.g. in setups.

Personally I still use $...$ all the time because of editor shortcuts and syntax highlighting.

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