lookbib

lookbib [-b] [-ifilename] [-tfilename] [file ...]

-b
    Do not prompt for input; instead, read keywords from standard input. This makes lookbib suitable for non-interactive use or scripting.

-ifilename
    Use filename as the output file for the eign preprocessor. This option is typically related to advanced internal processing and less commonly used.

-tfilename
    Use filename as the input transformation file for the eign preprocessor. Similar to -i, it's for specific internal configurations.

file ...
    One or more bibliographic database files to search. If no files are specified, lookbib reads the database from standard input.

lookbib is an interactive command-line utility designed to assist users in locating and formatting bibliographic references. It searches specified bibliographic database files (or standard input) for entries matching user-provided keywords. Upon finding matches, it displays the corresponding bibliographic records, which are typically formatted for use with the refer preprocessor for roff documents. It provides a quick way to look up citations from a formatted database, making it a useful tool for authors preparing documents with groff or other roff-based systems.

Primarily integrated with the groff (GNU roff) typesetting system, lookbib's relevance has diminished with the widespread adoption of modern document preparation tools (e.g., LaTeX, word processors with built-in citation managers). Its bibliographic database format (typically refer format) is specific to the roff ecosystem. The -i and -t options relate to the older eign preprocessor and are rarely used in contemporary contexts.

lookbib expects bibliographic entries to be formatted according to the refer preprocessor's conventions. Each entry typically occupies a paragraph, with fields marked by a leading `%` character followed by a field code (e.g., `%A` for author, `%T` for title, `%J` for journal, `%D` for date). These files are plain text, making them human-readable and editable.

When executed without the -b option, lookbib enters an interactive mode, prompting the user with `Keywords: `. Users can type one or more words, and lookbib will search the database for matching entries. Typing `Ctrl+D` (end-of-file) on an empty line will exit the interactive session.

lookbib originated as part of the classic Unix roff toolchain developed at Bell Labs. It was later incorporated into groff, the GNU implementation of roff, ensuring its continued availability on modern Unix-like systems. While its core functionality remains the same, its practical usage has declined as document preparation workflows shifted away from text-based typesetting.

refer(1), roffbib(1), groff(1), nroff(1), troff(1)