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Using Databases |
A database file used by BibCompanion is compatible to BibTeX database file. So that BibCompanion can open BibTeX database file (xxx.bib) and vice versa. Data field format (or concept) is also the same as BibTeX. If you are new to BibTeX, you'd better read some books or web sites about BibTeX before using BibCompanion.
In this section, you can find how to create and open databases using BibCompanion. This section contains the following topics.
Before creating a new database, you need to decide what text encoding and line ending code should be used. If you intended to use the database with BibTeX, it depends on BibTeX setting. If you do not use BibTeX, any encode that can handle your language can be chosen. In this case, ‘UTF-8’ encoding is recommended because all unicode characters can be stored in the data fields. Default encoding and line ending can be selected in the general settings of BibCompainon preferences.
You can create a new database by choosing [File - Create New Database] menu. When you choose this menu, you are prompted to enter the database file name and save location. You don't need to specify extension name ‘.bib’ which will be automatically added. If you want to use the database with BibTeX, the file name should NOT include spaces, punctuation characters (‘.’, ‘/’, ‘:’ etc.), letters with accents (‘ü’, ‘é’ etc.) nor characters other than alphabets (Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Greek etc.). In some cases (depending on BibTeX), database folder (the folder that includes the database) name also have the same limitation as the file name.
The new database will be shown in the “All Databases” group at the top of the database list. If you open plural databases, all databases will shown in the “All Databases” group. You can change the order of databases in the group by dragging one to other place.
Before appending a new bib item, please open the property of the database ([File - DB/Lib Properties] menu or double click the database) and check the property.
As explained above, databases of BibCompanion is compatible to those of BibTeX. Before opening an existing database, you should set default encoding and line ending code as those of the database in the general settings of BibCompainon preferences. BibCompanion does not detect text encoding automatically.
If an existing database only uses basic bib types and fields of BibTeX, there may not be a trouble when reading it by BibCompanion directly. However, if it is made by other BibTeX database editor, there may be some incompatibility between BibCompanion. Please read the importing tips below before opening it.
Then choose [File - Open Database] menu to open the database. In place of choosing the open menu, you can open a database by dragging the file from Finder onto the database list of BibCompanion. If you open an alias of a database or a symbolic link of a database, original database will be opened. The opened database will be appeared in the “All Databases” group at the top of the database list. You can open plural databases at a time. All opened databases are listed in the “All Databases” group. You can change the order of databases in the group by dragging one to other place.
Before appending a new item or editing an item, please open the property of the database ([File - DB/Lib Properties] menu or double click the database) and check the property.
BibCompanion remembers the listed databases, so that next time BibCompanion launched, listed databases are reloaded automatically. If you do not want to reload a database, you should close the database ([File - Close Database] menu) before quitting BibCompanion.
If some error occurred during loading a database, BibCompanion shows an error report with two choices, <Close database immediately> and <Continue>. Before you proceed, read reported error carefully. You can select the report text and copy it to other applications such as TextEdit to use it later (or bug report). In most cases, you'd better choose <Close database immediately> otherwise, some or all of the data will be lost. If errors are reported, open the database with a text editor (TextEdit etc.) and fix the problem. If you can not find any error (or BibTeX works with the database without any problem), please contact to the BibCompanion author with the problematic database. If you use BibTeX, check if the database can be treated by BibTeX correctly or not before sending a report.