The four basic steps in preparing a TeX document are: edit, compile, preview, print.

First, use your favorite text editor to create or make changes in your TeX or LaTeX document file, call it mydocument.tex. Next, use a Unix command such as tex mydocument or latex mydocument to compile—or TeX—your file. Then preview your document using xdvi (assuming you are using X Windows).

You may want to repeat the edit-compile-preview cycle several times, until you get your document looking exactly the way you want it. Use the Unix command xdvi mydocument for the first preview, then click on the xdvi window for subsequent previews.

Finally, the Unix command dvips mydocument will send your document to the printer.