ADDBIB(1)

NAME
addbib - create or extend a bibliographic database

SYNOPSIS
    addbib [ -a ] [ -p promptfile ] database

DESCRIPTION
When the program starts, you will be prompted for instructions. Answering "n" or simply hitting enter will continue without showing the instructions. Answering "y" will display directions for using the program. "addbib" then prompts for various bibliographic fields, accepting input from the console and eventually saving records in a "database" file. At each prompt, if one enters a null response (i.e. simply hits the return/enter key), then this field is skipped. Entering a minus sign ("-") means to return to the previous field. Using a trailing backslash allows a field to be continued to the next line. Once all fields have been entered, the user is presented with the "Continue? (y)" prompt in order to continue adding items to the database. Entering "y" or simply hitting return will start entering a new item into the database. Entering "n" or "q" exits the program and saves the "database" file to the filesystem.

The "-a" option suppresses prompting the user for an abstract; entering an abstract is the default behaviour. To finish entering an abstract, enter "Ctrl-d".

The "-p" option allows for the definition of new prompt sequences. The prompt file uses the following format: "prompt text" followed by a "tab character" and finally the "field symbol" for writing into the "database" file. For instance, to define a set of prompts specifically for the addition of books, use something like this:

    Author name %A
    Title       %T
    Publisher   %I
    Date        %D
    Other       %O
    Keywords    %K

Note that the author name field can occur more than once to allow for multiple authors.

The most common field symbols are (adapted from the FreeBSD manual for "addbib"):

    %A   Author's name
    %B   Book containing article referenced
    %C   City (place of publication)
    %D   Date of publication
    %E   Editor of book containing article referenced
    %F   Footnote number or label (supplied by refer)
    %G   Government order number
    %H   Header commentary, printed before reference
    %I   Issuer (publisher)
    %J   Journal containing article
    %K   Keywords to use in locating reference
    %L   Label field used by -k option of refer
    %M   Bell Labs Memorandum (undefined)
    %N   Number within volume
    %O   Other commentary, printed at end of reference
    %P   Page number(s)
    %Q   Corporate or Foreign Author (unreversed)
    %R   Report, paper, or thesis (unpublished)
    %S   Series title
    %T   Title of article or book
    %V   Volume number
    %X   Abstract

An example "database" file output is:

    %A      M Bremner
    %T      Quantum dynamics as a physical resource
    %J      Physical Review A
    %V      67
    %P      523011-5230119
    %I      American Physical Society
    %D      2003

FILES
    promptfile - optional file to define prompting

AUTHOR
Jeffrey S. Haemer

BUGS
Also wants both testing and the other bib/refer utilities to go with it. Release early and often, that's my motto.

COPYRIGHT and LICENSE
This program is copyright (c) Jeffrey S. Haemer (2004).

This program is free and open software. You may use, modify, distribute, and sell this program (and any modified variants) in any way you wish, provided you do not restrict others from doing the same.