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While reading one of the technical books I encountered "the remainder of the text will explore how the .NET framework...". From the context I understood it means "the remaining text of the book will explore ...".

Is there any difference between them or why is one used over the other?

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    General Reference: google.com/search?q=remainder%20remaining – mplungjan Jul 9 '13 at 8:02
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    'The remaining text of the book' sounds rather pleonastic. 'The remaining text' doesn't, however, sound quite right to my ears (though this is a matter of style and personal preference'. Note that text can refer to 'A book or other written or printed work, regarded in terms of its content rather than its physical form.' (Wikipedia) as well as 'The words of a speech [or indeed anything printed or written] appearing in print' (AHD with Collins extension). So I'd happily use 'the remainder of the text', meaning 'the rest of the book (etc)'. – Edwin Ashworth Jul 9 '13 at 9:14
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The two uses of text refer to different meanings. For example, among the definitions of text provided by Collins are

1.the main body of a printed or written work as distinct from commentary, notes, illustrations, etc

2.the words of something printed or written

3.[often plural] a book prescribed as part of a course of study

When you say the remainder of the text . . . you are referring to a singular thing, and definition 3 seems the best fit.

When you say the remaining text [of the book] . . . you are using it as a mass noun, and definition 2 seems to be what is meant.

The first form seems more appropriate since the sentence is discussing the overall body of the work rather than the particular words.

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