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what is sdcv fr?

koreader/sdcv — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-07-25 · repo last pushed 2017-08-29

10MakefileAudience · developerComplexity · 2/5DormantSetup · moderate

tl;dr

A command-line dictionary tool that looks up word definitions in your terminal using StarDict-format dictionary files you provide. Built as a lightweight lookup backend for the KOReader e-book reader.

vibe map

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Looks up words in terminal
      Searches StarDict dictionaries
      Prints definitions to screen
    Tech stack
      Makefile
      C++
      Command-line tool
    Use cases
      Look up words while reading
      Dictionary backend for e-readers
      Quick definitions in terminal
    Audience
      Terminal users
      Developers
      E-reader software projects
    Characteristics
      No graphical interface
      No bundled dictionaries
      Fork of earlier project

Code map

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what do people make with this?

VIBE 1

Look up word definitions from the terminal without switching to a browser or separate app.

VIBE 2

Use as a lightweight dictionary lookup backend for e-reader software like KOReader.

VIBE 3

Search through multiple StarDict-format dictionaries installed on your system for word definitions.

what's the stack?

MakefileC++StarDict

how it stacks up fr

koreader/sdcvexpansionpak/moderngekko-templatejohndcode/st3sh2
Stars101111
LanguageMakefileMakefileMakefile
Last pushed2017-08-29
MaintenanceDormant
Setup difficultymoderatehardmoderate
Complexity2/55/54/5
Audiencedeveloperdeveloperdeveloper

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

how do i run it?

Difficulty · moderate time til it works · 30min

Requires compiling from source and obtaining your own StarDict-format dictionary files separately.

The explanation does not mention a specific license for this project.

in plain english

sdcv is a command-line dictionary tool that lets you look up word definitions right from your terminal. It was originally built to work with KOReader, an open-source e-book reader app, so that users could look up unfamiliar words while reading without leaving the application. The tool works with dictionaries in the StarDict format, which is a widely used open format for storing dictionary data. At a high level, you type a word at the command prompt, and the program searches through whatever StarDict-format dictionaries you have installed on your system, then prints the definitions directly to your screen. The README itself does not go into further detail about specific features, options, or configuration, and instead points users to the program's manual page and an installation file for more information. This would appeal to people who spend a lot of time working in a terminal or text-based environment and want quick, no-frills access to definitions. For example, a developer or writer reading documentation in a terminal window could look up a word without switching over to a web browser or opening a separate dictionary app. It is also useful for e-reader software projects like KOReader that need a lightweight backend component to handle dictionary lookups for their users. The project is notably minimal and focused. Rather than offering a graphical interface or bundled dictionaries of its own, it acts purely as a search engine for dictionary files you provide yourself. It is a fork of an earlier project by another developer, meaning the current maintainers took the existing source code and continued developing it to fit their needs within the KOReader ecosystem.

prompts (copy fr)

prompt 1
How do I install sdcv on my system and where do I find the manual page for all available command-line options?
prompt 2
What is the StarDict dictionary format and how do I get or create StarDict dictionary files to use with sdcv?
prompt 3
How do I integrate sdcv into KOReader or another e-reader application as a backend for dictionary lookups?
prompt 4
Show me how to use sdcv from the command line to look up word definitions and configure which dictionaries it searches.

Frequently asked questions

what is sdcv fr?

A command-line dictionary tool that looks up word definitions in your terminal using StarDict-format dictionary files you provide. Built as a lightweight lookup backend for the KOReader e-book reader.

What language is sdcv written in?

Mainly Makefile. The stack also includes Makefile, C++, StarDict.

Is sdcv actively maintained?

Dormant — no commits in 2+ years (last push 2017-08-29).

What license does sdcv use?

The explanation does not mention a specific license for this project.

How hard is sdcv to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated moderate, with roughly 30min to a first successful run.

Who is sdcv for?

Mainly developer.

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