serve like option for nbconvert --to latex

[jakobgager]

When converting notebooks to latex and using the --post pdf I typically miss a serve like option which opens the compiled pdf directly. In about 100% of the cases I subsequently open the pdf to check it.
I just wonder if others have a similar feeling?

[jdfreder]

I share that feeling. Allowing a --serve flag when --post PDF is used would require us to allow the user to specify an array of post processors.

[Carreau]

I think that --post=OpenPDF would (generaly) imply --post PDF

[jdfreder]

--post=OpenPDF

That's a good idea

[jakobgager]

I agree with Matthias that a serve call would imply a pdf call.
I think the already used --post=serve would fit quite well, but I'm happy with --post=OpenPDF

[Carreau]

merging the 2 behaviour in --post=serve would be difficult I think.

[jakobgager]

Currently I have no idea of the internals of the postprocessor so your feelings are highly appreciated.
I thought it would be something like (in pseudo code)

if '--to latex':
    compile (use methods from --post pdf)
    open pdf
else:
    current implementation

[jdfreder]

Currently I have no idea of the internals of the postprocessor

It doesn't have access to the host exporter module name. See https://github.com/ipython/ipython/blob/master/IPython/nbconvert/exporters/templateexporter.py#L179
to understand how --to and --template are used.

and
https://github.com/ipython/ipython/blob/master/IPython/nbconvert/nbconvertapp.py#L254
to understand how the post processor is constructed.

[jdfreder]

Forgot to mention
https://github.com/ipython/ipython/blob/master/IPython/nbconvert/exporters/export.py#L158
to see how --to influences what exporter class is used.

[minrk]

I would add this as a bool configurable trait on PDFPostprocessor, if anything. Not a new one, and no command-line alias.

[jakobgager]

Great idea! 👍