Using the Shell Script Ebib

The shell script Ebib is designed make entry into the bib file easier. It brings up an xterm which allows the user to input into the fields directly. In this document, it is assumed you have the LaTeX file DISSc.tex and you wish to create the bibliography database file DISSc.bib.

The script Ebin is part of the Efiles utilities. To work properly, the script requires the use of a database in Ebin/lib/latex/bibform, so that the easiest way is to install the complete utilities in the directory Ebin in your own home directory. These are available in Ebin.tar.gz Rev 1, August 1 , 1997.

Setting up Ebib

To use Ebib you need to set the environment variable BIBFILE. In the ksh and zsh you type 
  export BIBFILE = DISSc
In csh you type 
  setenv BIBFILE DISSc

If you are using Ebib, remember that it will open an editor using an xterm so that you must have opened the display to the host on which the display is to be presented. To open the display, in the ksh or zsh you type 

  export DISPLAY=myhost.usm.edu:0.0

where myhost.usm.edu is the name of the machine to which you wish to export the display. In csh you type 

  setenv DISPLAY myhost.usm.edu:0.0

Using Ebib

Once the environment variable BIBFILE has been defined, you simply execute the command 
  Ebib

whenever you want a list of the posibble options to enter. Entering the command Ebib with an option from this list will make that type of entry in the DISSc.bib database. For example say you wanted to enter a book, then type 

  Ebib book

An xterm will open up, with the datafields required by bibtex being left blank. Fill in the spaces between the brackets { } and you are done. Save the file and the entries are appended to your bibliography database file.

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