aspell

Spell check a single file

$ aspell check [path/to/file]

$ cat [path/to/file] | aspell list

$ aspell dicts

$ aspell --lang=[cs]

$ cat [path/to/file] | aspell --personal=[personal-word-list.pws] list

aspell [options] command [files]

-a, --check
    Check a single file in pipe mode.

-c, --create
    Create a new spelling list.

-d, --dict=name
    Use the specified dictionary name.

-l, --lang=language
    Use the specified language.

-p, --personal=file
    Use the specified personal dictionary.

-w, --words=file
    Add words to a word list.

-H, --help
    Display this help message.

-v, --version
    Display version information.

-W, --ignore
    Ignore words with digits.

-T, --text-mode=mode
    Set text mode. ex: -T html, -T none

Aspell is a powerful and versatile spell checker designed for use in command-line environments. It can be used interactively to check individual words or entire files, identify potential spelling errors, and suggest corrections. Aspell supports a variety of languages and character encodings. It can also be customized with personal dictionaries and settings to tailor its behavior to specific needs. Aspell is often used in conjunction with text editors, word processors, and other applications to improve the accuracy and quality of written content. Unlike its predecessor Ispell, Aspell uses better algorithms for spelling correction and has greater support for different languages, including Unicode. It is often used in conjunction with various text editors, document preparation systems, and other programs to ensure spelling accuracy.

Aspell's effectiveness depends on the quality and completeness of its dictionaries. Results might be different depending on which version or dictionary you use. Complex jargon and specific terminology might not always be recognized.

When run without specific file arguments, Aspell operates in interactive mode, prompting the user to enter words or phrases to check. It then suggests corrections for any misspelled words. This is useful for verifying spelling on the fly.

Using the '-a' option enables pipe mode, where Aspell reads input from standard input and writes output to standard output. This is helpful for integrating Aspell into scripts or other automated processes.

Aspell allows users to maintain their own personal dictionaries. This helps to customize the spell checker for domain-specific terms and avoid false positives.

Aspell was created as a replacement for Ispell. Development started around 1998 to address limitations in Ispell, particularly with respect to language support and handling of complex character sets. Aspell is actively maintained and has become a widely used spell checker in the open-source community.

ispell(1), hunspell(1)