In order to compile a LaTeX document on your computer, you will need to install the LaTeX compiler and a text editor. How you do this depends on your operating system:

• Macintosh
  • The MacTeX-wiki page has everything you could possibly want, with all options.
  • I personally just use the MacTeX distribution, which comes with a nice installer and with TeXShop as well.

  For actually creating and editing LaTeX documents, you will need a text editor. (This is different than a word processor!) I personally use MacVim, but it has a rather steep learning curve so unless you already use some variant of vi I would recommend getting Atom. TeXShop also provides a fairly good text editor, which is perfectly capable of doing what you need.

• Linux
• Windows