lookbib
interactively searches bibliographic databases for groff/troff refer
TLDR
Search bibliography database
$ lookbib [database]
Search with specific query$ lookbib [database] <<< "[search terms]"
Search multiple databases$ lookbib [database1] [database2]
SYNOPSIS
lookbib [options] database...
DESCRIPTION
lookbib interactively searches bibliographic databases for groff/troff refer preprocessing. It prompts for keywords and displays matching bibliography entries.The tool uses index files created by indxbib for fast searching. Enter keywords at the prompt to find references; a blank line exits.
PARAMETERS
-i string
Index file suffix.-t n
Truncate keys to n characters.
EXAMPLE SESSION
$ $ lookbib refs.bib
> knuth algorithms
%A Donald E. Knuth
%T The Art of Computer Programming
%D 1997
>
> knuth algorithms
%A Donald E. Knuth
%T The Art of Computer Programming
%D 1997
>
DATABASE FORMAT
$ %A Author Name
%T Title of Work
%J Journal Name
%D Date
%V Volume
%P Pages
%T Title of Work
%J Journal Name
%D Date
%V Volume
%P Pages
INSTALL
sudo apt install groff
sudo dnf install groff
sudo pacman -S groff
sudo apk add groff
sudo zypper install groff
brew install groff
nix profile install nixpkgs#groff
CAVEATS
Requires indxbib to create indexes first. Part of groff refer system. Interactive only; use refer for document processing.
HISTORY
lookbib originated in the troff document preparation system at Bell Labs and was part of the refer bibliography system developed in the 1970s.