GNU Dico

Overview

GNU Dico is a flexible modular implementation of DICT server (RFC 2229). In contrast to another implementations, it does not depend on particular database format. GNU Dico handles database accesses using loadable modules.

Several database modules are shipped with the package. New modules can easily be written in C, Guile or Python. The module API is mature and well documented.

The package also includes a console client program, that can be used to query remote dictionary servers.

The project is in active development. Currently, all its principal parts are considered stable, and the main development work is concentrated on its documentation.

Modules

The package comes with the following database modules:

dictorg

This module provides full support for the format designed by the DICT development group. This is de facto standard for DICT databases. A number of dictionary databases in this format are provided by the the FreeDict project.

guile

It is an abstract layer for interfacing with database modules written in Guile. Such databases are, for example, operational on Runasimi.org and Ellinika.gnu.org.ua.

python

It is an abstract layer for interfacing with database modules written in Python.

outline

Support for databases in Emacs outline format. This module is designed mostly as an example and for testing purposes.

mediawiki

This module allows to use Wiktionary or Wikipedia as a dictionary database. The Dicoweb page offers several databases defined this way.

Dicoweb

Dicoweb is a Web interface for database searches, designed by Wojciech Polak. It is currently offering several databases, yet more will be added in the future. Its sources are included in the distribution.

Downloads and Development

You can keep track of the news and updates at the project's homepage.

The latest stable release is version 2.0, available from its main sites: ftp.gnu.org and download.gnu.org.ua, as well as from GNU mirrors worldwide.

Alpha and pre-test releases of GNU Dico are available from alpha downloads.

Manual

Work on the documentation is underway. Some minor issues still remain, but overall it can be considered 80% ready. The documentation in Texinfo format is included in the distribution. A complete online manual is available in various formats.

The Team

GNU Dico is written by Sergey Poznyakoff and Wojciech Polak.