Lexicons

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Lexicons

The Lexicons screen displays information about the selected lexicon and settings that indicate what configuration was done.

Note: This screen is a bit more complex since the creation of Hoot Android apps. Lexicons are stored differently on the Android platform, but this menu can help you convert between Desktop and Android versions.

Information

Information about each lexicon can be modified in this screen. Lexicons downloaded from the Hoot website usually have a textfile included that has the details about the lexicon and a readme with basic instructions on how to import the lexicon. Make sure to Save after changing information on this section.

Export

You can also export lexicons from here as well. When a version 3 lexicon is exported, it is saved as a tab-delimited text file, including the word, hooks, inner hooks, probability, optimum playability ratings, and number of anagrams. This is one way you can share a lexicon with other Hoot users. You may also want to include a text file with instructions and details about the lexicon. You will note that the Export is disabled for copyrighted lexicons that are a part of the Hoot distribution.

Delete

There is also an option to delete the selected lexicon. Before doing so, you may want to export it just in case you want to use it later or share it with others. Importing shared lexicons is a function of the Lexicon Creator.

Configuration

The right panel shows what indexing has been done on the lexicon. The green checkmark indicates what has been done. Check the box to select what configuration you want to do, or if you want to change a configuration. Then select Begin to start processing.

Lexicons provided with the program are already indexed and should have all green checkmarks. The indexing of a lexicon includes (with estimated time requirements for a 200,000 word lexicon):

Times will increase on slower computers and with larger lexicons. For some aspects the time requirements will increase proportionally while others (such as those that compare with other words in the lexicon) will increase exponentially. In that case, it may be smart to do one thing at a time.

Android Support

Two new options support use of lexicons on Android databases. Both database maintain lexicon information the same, but the Android list is altered for more optimum use of limited resources.

Configure for Android Use

This option will convert the Desktop stored lexicon to a format that can be accessed from the Android app.
Note: In the Android apps there is also an option to import a Desktop version of the lexicon.

Import from Android

This option will convert an Android app lexicon so that it can be used on the desktop.

One way to tell that a database originated from an Android app has not been imported is that all searches will return with 0 results. Many of the green checkmarks will also be missing.

Show Stats

Each lexicon can be analyzed by Hoot to count the total number of words in the lexicon, the number of words of each length, and the number of words beginning with each letter. Scroll in the text box to see all of the details.

Definitions

Hoot is distributed with a definition file in the database. If you are starting with an empty database, you may need to add definitions separately. See Definitions for how to add definitions from a text file. Downloads has a definitions source file you can use. Definitions are language specific, so the definition configuration must match the language of the lexicon.

Other options from the Lexicon Admin panel have their own help page and include

Create Lexicon

Add Words (wip)

Compare Lexicons is now under the Tools tab