Package ebib-0.26-1

Ebib is a BibTeX database manager running in Emacs. With Ebib, a user can create and manage .bib-files, all within Emacs. It supports @string and @preamble definitions, multi-line field values, searching, and integration with Emacs' (La)TeX mode. In more detail: Ebib is a program with which you can manage a BibTeX database. There are already quite a few such programs, but Ebib has a special property: it runs inside Emacs. If you are used to doing everything (La)TeX from within Emacs, you may appreciate that you can manage your .bib file in Emacs as well. One distinct advantage of Ebib is that you do not need to switch to another window and copy/paste a BibTeX key into your LaTeX file with the mouse. Ebib provides a function with which you can select a key from the database by using tab-completion and have it inserted directly into your LaTeX text. Ebib is fully keyboad-operated. Unlike other BibTeX database managers, you do not need the mouse at all. Everything Ebib can do can be accomplished with simple one-key commands. This makes using Ebib much faster than other similar programs, which are usually mouse-operated. And because Emacs does not have to run under X, Ebib as well can be used without X, unlike other BibTeX database managers. (At least the ones that I know of.) Ebib provides the standard capabilities that one would expect from a BibTeX database manager: .bib files can be opened, modified (adding, deleting, modifying entries), searched, and saved. Obviously, it is also possible to start a new database from scratch. A nice property is the ability to copy single entries to another .bib file: this makes it possible to create a new .bib file from a subset of the entries of an existing database. This can be useful e.g. when you want to create a .bib file for a paper containing only the works cited in that paper. Features: * runs in GNU Emacs and XEmacs. * format of the .bib file is not restricted: everything that BibTeX accepts is also accepted by Ebib. * multiple .bib files can be opened at the same time: copying entries from one file to another is possible. * allows creation and editing of @string and @preamble definitions. * BibTeX entry and field types can be customised through a configuration file, allowing adaptation for non-standard and personal bibliography styles. * visual representation distinguishing required, optional and ignored fields. * field values containing newlines are supported, allowing the creation of annotated bibliographies. * merging of a second .bib file with an already loaded database. * single entries can be exported to another file, allowing the creation of a new specialised .bib file from an existing one. @preamble and @string definitions can also be exported. * searching a database for specific strings (regexes in fact). * copy/cut/paste mechanism for quickly copying field values. (This integrates with Emacs' kill ring.) * automatic insertion of a BibTeX key into a (La)TeX document, where the user can use tab completion to select a key from the database. * automatic loading of .bib files upon startup. * on-line help function summarising the available commands. * extensive user manual. Limitations: There are a few limitations to Ebib that you may need to be aware of. Some of these will be addressed in a future version: * @comment definitions are ignored when a database is opened. Ebib will not complain if it finds them, but it does not store or save them.

To get started, copy the supplied ebibrc file to your home directory and add the line (require 'ebib) to your emacs initialization file.