boggle

boggle [ -a ] [ -c ] [ -f dictionary ] [ -g widthxheight ] [ -l length ] [ -p ] [ -s ] [ -t ] [ -v ] [ -x ]

-a
    Analyze mode: Show all possible words found by the computer after the player's turn, allowing for comparison of results.

-c
    Cheat mode: Print all possible words that can be formed on the current board at the very beginning of the game.

-f dictionary
    Use the specified dictionary file as the word list instead of the default system dictionary. This allows for custom word sets or different languages.

-g widthxheight
    Set the board dimensions to width by height (e.g., `4x4`, `5x5`). The default is typically `4x4`.

-l length
    Set the minimum word length required for a word to be considered valid and scored (default is 3 characters).

-p
    Play game: This is the default behavior if no other options are specified, starting an interactive Boggle game.

-s
    Score by the number of words found instead of the standard Boggle point system (which typically assigns points based on word length).

-t
    Play a timed game. By default, the game provides a 3-minute timer for players to find words.

-v
    Verbose mode: Similar to analyze mode, but displays all possible words found by the computer after each game, useful for learning.

-x
    Use an extra large dictionary (e.g., `/usr/share/dict/words`) instead of the default smaller dictionary (e.g., `/usr/share/dict/web2`), potentially finding more words.

boggle is a command-line implementation of the popular Boggle word game. Players are presented with a grid of random letters (typically 4x4 or 5x5) and must find as many words as possible by connecting adjacent letters. The letters can be connected horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The game uses a dictionary to validate words. Scoring is usually based on word length, rewarding longer and rarer words. It's a fun way to test vocabulary and pattern recognition skills directly from the terminal, offering a classic game experience without a graphical interface.

The game usually provides a timer for the player to find words, and after the time expires, it can reveal all possible words that could have been found on the given board.

The boggle command relies on the presence of system dictionary files, typically located in /usr/share/dict. If these files are missing or incorrectly configured, the game may not function correctly or might have a very limited word list. Being entirely text-based, it lacks a graphical user interface. Word validation is strictly based on the provided dictionary, which may not always align with contemporary English or include proper nouns, and scoring rules might differ slightly from official Boggle board games.

The boggle game internally simulates the rolling of specific dice sets (e.g., standard 4x4 Boggle dice) to generate the board's letter configuration. These sets are designed to ensure a balanced distribution of letters, providing a varied gameplay experience.

A key feature of boggle is its reliance on dictionary files for word validation. Users can leverage the -f option to specify custom dictionaries, enabling gameplay in different languages, with specialized vocabulary sets, or with updated word lists not included in default system dictionaries.

The boggle command is a part of the bsdgames package, which comprises a collection of classic Unix games ported from BSD systems. These games have a rich history dating back to the early development of Unix and are designed for command-line environments. The boggle implementation provides a robust terminal-based version of the popular board game, ensuring accessibility on systems without graphical interfaces. Its development has focused on faithfully replicating the core gameplay mechanics using standard text output and efficient dictionary lookup algorithms.

fortune(6), words(5), dictionary(7), bsdgames(6)