--- name: "dicod" section: "8" platform: "linux" package: "dicod" version: "2.12-3" release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)" platforms: ["linux"] url: "https://new.carta.tech/dicod" --- # dicod(8) GNU dictionary server ## NAME dicod - GNU dictionary server ## SYNOPSIS **dicod** \[**-ETVfist**\] \[**-D** *SYMBOL*\[**=***VALUE*\]\] \[**-I** *DIR*\] \[**-L** *DIR*\] \[**-x** *LEVEL-SPEC*\] \[**--config=***FILE*\] \[**--config-help**\] \[**--debug=***LEVEL-SPEC*\] \[**--define=***SYMBOL*\[**=***VALUE*\]\] \[**--foreground**\] \[**--include-dir=***DIR*\] \[**--inetd**\] \[**--lib-dir=***DIR*\] \[**--lint**\] \[**--no-preprocessor**\] \[**--no-transcript**\] \[**--preprocessor=***PROG*\] \[**--single-process**\] \[**--source-info**\] \[**--stderr**\] \[**--syslog**\] \[**--trace-grammar**\] \[**--trace-lex**\] \[**--transcript**\] **dicod \[***OPTIONS*\] **-r**\|**--runtest** *MODULE* \[*ARG*...\] \[**--** *ARG*...\] **dicod -h** **dicod --help** **dicod --usage** **dicod --version** ## NOTE This manpage is a short description of GNU **dicod**. For a detailed discussion, including examples and usage recommendations, refer to the **GNU Dico Manual** available in texinfo format. If the **info** reader and **GNU Dico** documentation are properly installed on your system, the command **info dico** should give you access to the complete manual. You can also view the manual using the info mode in [**emacs**(1)](/emacs/1.md), or find it in various formats online at **http://www.gnu.org.ua/software/dico/manual** If any discrepancies occur between this manpage and the **GNU Dico Manual**, the later shall be considered the authoritative source. ## DESCRIPTION **Dicod** is a dictionary server daemon. It implements the **DICT** protocol defined in **RFC 2229**. **Dicod** is a part of **GNU Dico**, a package that provides, apart from the server itself, a set of loadable modules and a command line client program [**dico**(1)](/dico/1.md). Upon startup, the server reads its configuration file **/etc/dicod.conf**, loads and initializes the dictionary modules defined there and starts serving requests. When started in *daemon mode* (which is the default), **dicod** listens for incoming connections on sockets requested in its configuration. When an incoming connection arrives, the server spawns a copy of itself dedicated for serving that particular connection. Unless configured otherwise, in this mode **dicod** detaches itself from the controlling terminal and operates in background. In **inetd mode** the server listens on **DICT** requests on its standard input stream and sends replies to its standard output stream. As the name indicates, this mode is intended for use with [**inetd**(8)](/inetd/8.md) or a similar daemon. ## OPTIONS ### Program Mode - **-E** Preprocess configuration file and exit. See the section **PREPROCESSOR** below. - **-i**, **--inetd** Run in *inetd mode*. - **-t**, **--lint** Check configuration file syntax and exit. - **-r**, **--runtest** Run unit tests for module. The arguments that follow this option are collected into two arrays: arguments up to the **--** marker (or end of line, if it is not present) form the vector that is passed to the module's **dico\_run\_test** function. If the **--** marker is present, arguments that follow it are collected into a separate argument vector starting from slot 1, its 0th element is set to point to the module name and the resulting vector is passed to the **dico\_init** function of the module. When running unit tests, configuration file is ignored. The diagnostic messages are printed to the standard error output. ### Modifiers - **--config=***FILE* Read configuration from *FILE*, instead of **/etc/dicod.conf**. - **-f**, **--foreground** Operate in foreground. - **-s**, **--single-process** In *daemon mode*, process connections in the main process, without starting subprocesses for each connection. This means that the daemon is able to serve only one client at a time. This option is intended for debugging purposes only. Never use it in production environment. - **--stderr** Output diagnostic to stderr. Useful only together with **--foreground**. - **--syslog** After successful startup, output any diagnostic to syslog. This is the default. ### Debugging - **-T**, **--transcript** Enable session transcripts. This instructs **dicod** to log all commands it receives and all responses it sends during the session. Transcript is logged via the default logging channel. If syslog is enabled, the **debug** priority is used. - **--no-transcript** Disable session transcript. - **--source-info** Include source line information in the debugging output. - **--trace-grammar** Trace configuration file parser. - **--trace-lex** Trace configuration file lexer. - **-x**, **--debug=***NUMBER* Set debug verbosity level. The argument is an integer ranging from **0** (no debugging, default) to **100** (maximum debugging information). ### Preprocessor Control - **-D**, **--define=***SYMBOL*\[**=***VALUE*\] Define preprocessor symbol *SYMBOL*. Optional *VALUE* supplies the new symbol value. This option is passed to the preprocessor verbatim. - **-I**, **--include-dir=***DIR* Add the directory *DIR* to the list of directories to be searched for preprocessor include files. - **--no-preprocessor** Do not use external preprocessor. - **--preprocessor=***PROG* Use *PROG* as a preprocessor for configuration file. ### Additional information options - **--config-help** Show a summary of configuration file syntax and available statements. - **-V**, **--version** Print program version. - **-h**, **--help** Print a short summary of command line options. - **--usage** Display a short usage message. ## PREPROCESSOR Prior to parsing, **dicod** configuration file is preprocessed using [**m4**(1)](/m4/1.md). It is invoked with \`-s' flag, instructing it to include line synchronization information in its output. This information is then used by the parser to display meaningful diagnostic. The include path is set initially to the following two directories: **/usr/share/dico/2.12/include**\ **/usr/share/dico/include** It can be further modified using the **-I** (**--include-directory**) command line option. If the file **pp-setup** is found in the include path, it is sourced before the configuration file. This can be used to provide macros and constants for the configuration. The default **pp-setup** file changes the quote characters to **\[** and **\]**, and renames all **m4** built-in macros so they start with the prefix **m4\_**. The latterr has the effect similar to that of **GNU m4 --prefix-builtin** option, but has an advantage that it works with other **m4** implementations as well. Additional definitions can also be provided from the command line using the **-D** (**--define**) option. To view preprocessed configuration, use the **-E** option. It prints the preprocessed text on the standard output. To disable preprocessing, use the **--no-preprocessor** option. ## SEE ALSO [**dicod.conf**(5)](/dicod.conf/5.md), [**dico**(1)](/dico/1.md), **RFC 2229**. Complete **GNU Dico** manual: run **info dico** or use [**emacs**(1)](/emacs/1.md) info mode to read it. Online copies of **GNU Dico** documentation in various formats can be found at: **http://www.gnu.org.ua/software/dico/manual** ## AUTHORS Sergey Poznyakoff ## BUG REPORTS Report bugs to \. ## COPYRIGHT Copyright © 2008-2018 Sergey Poznyakoff\ License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later \\ This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.