Texinfo (.texi) is a documentation format used by GNU projects for creating comprehensive software manuals and documentation. Based on Texinfo markup language, it supports multiple output formats like HTML, PDF, and plain text. Developed as an extension of TeX, it enables structured documentation with robust cross-referencing, indexing, and semantic markup capabilities for technical and programming documentation.
Supports multiple output formats, excellent cross-referencing, semantic markup, platform-independent, enables complex document structures, integrated with GNU toolchain, supports internationalization, and provides consistent documentation generation across different platforms.
Steeper learning curve compared to simpler markup languages, requires specialized tools for compilation, less intuitive for non-technical writers, limited visual design flexibility, and smaller community support compared to more modern documentation formats.
Primarily used in GNU software documentation, open-source project manuals, technical reference guides, programming language documentation, software user guides, and academic technical writing. Widely adopted in Linux and Unix documentation ecosystems for creating comprehensive, portable documentation that can be easily converted between different output formats.