RefDB – reference database and bibliography tool for SGML, XML, and LaTeX/BibTeX documents

Last Updated on November 18, 2022

RefDB is a reference database and bibliography tool for SGML, XML, and LaTeX/BibTeX documents. It allows users to share databases over a network.

It can be used from the command-line, using a PHP-based web interface, from text editors (Emacs, Vim), and it contains a SRU server.

This tool is suitable for standalone use for the purpose of self-archiving, but can be used as a institutional repository as well. Data storage proper is done in one of several supported SQL database engines (MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite).

Features include:

• Query Features:
  • Simple search to find references that match a word or phrase.
  • Simple field-based search.
  • Advanced query.
  • Use citation key or digital objects identifier.
• Automatic processing of DockBook, TEI and LaTeX documents.
• Formatted bibliographies can be created automatically from DocBook SGML/XML and TEI XML documents. This does not require any changes or extensions to the DTDs. RefDB can also be integrated as a data source into the LaTeX/BibTeX workflow. Finally, external applications can retrieve raw bibliographies in either risx or MODS formats via the SRU interface.
• Both the DTD-based versions (V.4.x, P4) and the schema-based versions (V.5.x, P5) of DocBook and TEI are supported.
• RefDB is extensible in terms of the supported document types: support for new document types can be added without hacking the tool itself (you only need to hack stylesheets).
• Citation and reference styles can be defined in XML to match the weirdest requirements of journals and publishers.
• RefDB supports numerical, author/year, and citation key citation styles.
• Sophisticated shell scripts and makefiles take care of the document transformations. The whole process is transparent to the user as all he needs to do is e.g. type make pdf to turn his document into a PDF file with formatted citations and bibliographies.
• Inserts and formats bibliographies for submission to a journal or publisher.
• Extended notes can be linked to one or more references, authors, periodicals, or keywords to create topics or material collections.
• Supports a variety of bibliographic formats, including BibTeX, Endnote, ISI, RIS, PubMed, MODS XML, MARC, Medline, and Copac.
• Creates output in HTML, XHTML, TEI and DockBook formats.
• Portable and runs on a number of operating systems.
• Uses a SQL database engine to store the references, notes, and the bibliography styles.

Website: refdb.sourceforge.net
Support:
Developer: RefDB Development Team
License: GNU GPL v2

RefDB is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.

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