TeX is a typesetting system: it was especially designed to handle complex mathematics, as well as most ordinary text typesetting.
TeX is a batch language, like C or Pascal, and not an interactive "word processor": you compile a TeX input file into a corresponding device-independent (DVI) file (and then translate the DVI file to the commands for a particular output device). This approach has both considerable disadvantages and considerable advantages. For a complete description of the TeX language, see The TeXbook (see section References). Many other books on TeX, introductory and otherwise, are available.
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