13 A Client for the DICT Protocol

The Protocol

The Dictionary Server Protocol (DICT) is a TCP transaction based query/response protocol that allows a client to access dictionary definitions from a set of natural language dictionary databases. For further information see The DICT Development Group.

The Application

This application implements an interactive graphical client for the DICT protocol. Enter a word in the top text field and click on ``Lookup'' to retrieve definitions for it, displayed in a separate window. Words highlighted in blue are links to other definitions. Activate ``Match'' and you are presented a list of close matches in a new window; clicking on a line in this window retrieves the corresponding definition.

Selecting Databases

The left list box allows to select the databases in which to look for definitions and/or matches: you always have the choice of ``all'' to look through all databases or ``first with matches'' to stop after the first in which lookup was successful. The ``update list'' button queries a complete list of the databases present on the server. You can then select a set of these for lookup: A simple click selects a single database; clicking while the shift key is pressed selects a range; clicking while the control key is pressed toggles an entry.

Selecting a Strategy

The right list box allows to select the strategy used by the ``Match'' operation. As for the databases, the ``update list'' presents you with a complete list of all strategies supported by the server.

Logging the Actions

The text window at the bottom displays a log of all actions, both those already performed and those still to be performed. The text line below it describes the currently performed action.