A page looks innocent: the algorithms behind a typeset page
Summary
The article explains the six-layer process of typesetting a page, from page layout to PDF generation, using speedata Publisher (LuaTeX) and the boxes & glue Go library. It dives into how algorithms for page composition, line breaking (Knuth-Plass), hyphenation, shaping (HarfBuzz), font handling, and PDF output interact, with interactive demos and a focus on open-source tooling. The piece emphasizes architectural choices and the value of understanding cross-layer interactions for robust typesetting.