undetected missing algorithmx package when compiling komatufte

[espinielli]

This is to signal that the TeX Live mechanism to automagically install missing packages fails in the case of algorithms feature as for the komatufte vignette.
Here is the error from the log file:

...
LaTeX Warning: Reference `alg:algorithm' on page 2 undefined on input line 527.



! LaTeX Error: Environment algorithm undefined.

See the LaTeX manual or LaTeX Companion for explanation.
Type  H <return>  for immediate help.
 ...                                              
                                                  
l.529 \begin{algorithm}
...

I am on a MS Windows machine and all missing fonts/styles got installed but algorithmicx.
I suppose this is due to the fact that line 340 in the komatufte.tex template (\usepackage[noend]{algpseudocode})

% Algorithms
\IfFileExists{algpseudocode.sty}{%
\usepackage[noend]{algpseudocode}
...

will trigger TeX Live to search for algpseudocode.sty in CTAN and fail to discover it.
Once I manually installed algorithmicx, everything worked.

The following change makes the automatic installation and pdf production work magically again (tested by removing algorithmicx + failing PDF without the change + adding the change + success):

% Algorithms
\usepackage{algorithmicx}
\IfFileExists{algpseudocode.sty}{%
\usepackage[noend]{algpseudocode}
...

I am not sure this is a valid implementation...but it can make life easier for potential users...
HTH

[jolars]

The problem with this solution, however, is that the package will simply fail when algorithmicx is not available.

[espinielli]

Shouldn't it then be installed automatically?
I tested it with TinyTeX and all happens automatically...

[espinielli]

FYI I have been playing with another approach (search for scrbook in bookdown's book) not really needing an R package.
I have a (for now private) repo with a template for a scrbook-based book.

[jolars]

In any case I think using IfFileExists is good practice and some people will not need the algorithm functionality. Have you tried putting \usepackage{algorithmicx} after IfFileExists?

[espinielli]

Yes I tried and it failed because algpseudocode.sty is part of algorithmicx package (see CTAN).

When algoritmicx is not installed algpseudocode.sty is not found as a standalone .sty file by tlmgr when trying to (automagically) install it.