How to use the command 'wikit' (with examples)

Wikit is an efficient command-line tool that allows users to quickly fetch Wikipedia summaries directly from their terminal. With wikit, you can streamline your research process, get concise information from one of the most comprehensive free encyclopedias available, and perform various tasks such as specifying different languages, opening the full Wikipedia article, and navigating disambiguation pages. Here, we’ll explore several practical examples to showcase how wikit can be utilized effectively.

Use case 1: Show a short summary of a specific topic on Wikipedia

Code:

wikit topic

Motivation: Often, users need a quick overview of a subject without wading through extensive articles. Wikit allows you to retrieve concise summaries directly in your terminal, eliminating the need for browsers and reducing distraction. This is particularly useful for developers, researchers, and students who inherently work in command-line environments and require immediate information.

Explanation:

• wikit: This invokes the wikit command itself, which acts as a request to fetch information.
• topic: The specific term or subject you wish to query. In this case, “topic” is a placeholder for any subject, such as “Python” or “Climate Change.”

Example output:
Upon entering wikit Python, the terminal will display:
“Python is a widely used high-level programming language for general-purpose programming, created by Guido van Rossum and first released in 1991.”

Use case 2: Specify a language (ISO 639-1 language code)

Code:

wikit topic --lang language_code

Motivation: With a vast multilingual user base, Wikipedia offers articles in numerous languages. This feature of wikit is particularly beneficial for users who are bilingual or working in regions where English is not predominant. Accessing information in a native or preferred language can enhance understanding and engagement with the content.

Explanation:

• wikit: Commands wikit to perform the operation.
• topic: The subject enquired, applicable in any language supported by Wikipedia.
• --lang language_code: Specifies the ISO 639-1 code for the desired language. For example, en for English, es for Spanish, fr for French, etc.

Example output:
Entering wikit Python --lang es might yield:
“Python es un lenguaje de programación de alto nivel usado ampliamente para propósitos generales creado por Guido van Rossum y publicado por primera vez en 1991.”

Use case 3: Open the full Wikipedia article in the default browser

Code:

wikit topic -b

Motivation: While summaries provide fantastic quick insights, sometimes a deeper dive into the whole article is warranted. This use case is particularly advantageous when comprehensive research is necessary, and you’d prefer to conduct an extensive read using your default browser’s comfort and functionality.

Explanation:

• wikit: Calls the wikit command execution.
• topic: Refers to the topic being investigated.
• -b: A flag to trigger the action of opening the full Wikipedia article in the default web browser.

Example output:
Running wikit Python -b, your system will open the browser to the full article on Python, presenting detailed sections such as History, Features, Syntax, etc.

Use case 4: Open a disambiguation menu

Code:

wikit topic -d

Motivation: Wikipedia has numerous disambiguation pages, which are useful for distinguishing between subjects with similar or identical titles. This use case is relevant when the topic of interest has multiple meanings, and clarification is required to choose the right path, ensuring the retrieved summary or article pertains to the intended context.

Explanation:

• wikit: Invokes the wikit program.
• topic: Denotes the searched term.
• -d: This flag opens a disambiguation menu, listing various topics that match the input keyword.

Example output:
Entering wikit Jaguar -d might display choices like:

1. Jaguar (Animal)
2. Jaguar Cars
3. The Jaguar (Film)

Conclusion:

Wikit stands out as a powerful tool for command-line enthusiasts seeking quick and straightforward access to Wikipedia’s rich database. Through mastering these use cases, users can optimize their workflow, retrieve information in multiple languages, conveniently toggle between concise summaries and in-depth articles, and navigate complex terms with ease. By integrating wikit into your command-line operations, you harness the agility of instant knowledge retrieval, seamlessly blending utility with efficiency.