Introduction

Dictionary Services lets you create your own custom dictionaries that users can access through the Dictionary application. You also use these services to access dictionaries programatically and to support user access to dictionary look-up through a contextual menu.

You should read this document if you want to create a dictionary for users to view in the Dictionary application or access a dictionary programmatically.

Organization of This Document

This document is organized into the following chapters:

• Dictionary User Interface and Markup describes the user interface to dictionaries and defines the elements and attributes that you use to markup dictionary entries.

• Creating Dictionaries explains how to modify the files provided in the Dictionary development Kit to create and build your own dictionary. It also provides sample dictionaries, shows how to create a Japanese dictionary, and describes implementing advanced features.

• Accessing Dictionaries shows how to use the Dictionary Services programming interface to access active dictionaries.