How to compile amstex file

Problem

I downloaded a tex file from arxiv, it starts with

\input amstex
\documentstyle{amsppt}
\magnification=1200 \hsize=13.8cm \catcode`\@=11
\def\NoLogo{\let\logo@\empty}
\catcode`\@=\active \NoLogo
\def\vgk{\text{\bf VG}_k}
\def\tN{\widetilde N}
\def\tL{\widetilde L}
\def\tM{\widetilde M}
\def\tpi{\widetilde \pi}
\def\hpi{\widehat \pi}
\def\hM{\widehat M}
...

but I can't compile it anyway.

Solution

• use texshop
• In vs code: (given by chatgpt)
  • Open your VSCode settings (Ctrl+, or Cmd+, on macOS).
  • Search for settings.json and click on Edit in settings.json.
  • Add the following configuration to your settings.json:

  {
  "latex-workshop.latex.tools": [
    {
      "name": "amstex",
      "command": "amstex",
      "args": [
        "%DOC%"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "xdvi",
      "command": "xdvi",
      "args": [
        "%DOCFILE%.dvi"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "dvipdf",
      "command": "dvipdf",
      "args": [
        "%DOCFILE%.dvi"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "latex-workshop.latex.recipes": [
    {
      "name": "amstex -> xdvi",
      "tools": [
        "amstex",
        "xdvi"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "amstex -> dvipdf",
      "tools": [
        "amstex",
        "dvipdf"
      ]
    }
  ]
  }
  
  

Done!