A modern implementation of the classic Scrabble word game for X11/XQuartz on macOS and Unix systems.
mkdir build && cd build
cmake ..
make./scripts/install-osx.shXScrabble v3 includes enhanced dictionary support for language learning. This feature allows you to:
- View definitions of words in French and English
- See example usage
- Learn parts of speech
- Quiz yourself on vocabulary
The regular French dictionary provides common French words with definitions.
# Build the dictionary demo
cd build
cmake ..
make
# Run the French dictionary demo
./dictionary_demo
# Interactive mode
./dictionary_demo -iThe AL Dictionary is a set of made-up words that sound plausible for Scrabble but aren’t in standard dictionaries. These words have fictional French definitions and English translations, making them perfect for language learning practice without the pressure of real-world accuracy.
The dictionary includes:
- 500+ longer words that sound like plausible English/French words
- Strategic two-letter and three-letter words perfect for high-scoring Scrabble plays
- Multilingual definitions (French and English, with some Spanish translations)
# Build and run the AL dictionary demo
cd build
cmake ..
make
./al_dictionary_demo
# Interactive mode with quiz feature
./al_dictionary_demo -iSpecial attention has been paid to include short words (2-3 letters) that would be valuable in Scrabble games. These include:
- Two-letter words like QI, ZO, XI, JA, KE that connect easily with other words
- Three-letter words like ZAX, QAF, XIZ, JIV, KEF that use high-scoring letters (Q, Z, X, J, K)
- Words that look plausible enough that opponents might not challenge them
lookup WORD- Look up a word’s definitionlist- List all words in the dictionaryquiz NUM- Take a vocabulary quiz with NUM questionssearch PATTERN- Search for words containing PATTERN
Both dictionaries use a simple JSON format. The AL dictionary template is located at data/dictionaries/extracted/AL_DEFINITIONS.json.
Example format:
{
"ABANTH": {
"definition": "Une plante médicinale utilisée pour traiter les maux de tête.",
"english_definition": "A medicinal plant used to treat headaches.",
"example": "L'abanth pousse seulement en haute altitude.",
"part_of_speech": "nom féminin"
}
}graph TD
main[main.c] --> game[game.c]
main --> ui[ui.c]
game --> board[board.c]
game --> dictionary[dictionary.c]
ui --> board
%% Header dependencies
main -.-> game_h[game.h]
main -.-> ui_h[ui.h]
game -.-> board_h[board.h]
game -.-> dictionary_h[dictionary.h]
ui -.-> board_h
board -.-> board_h
dictionary -.-> dictionary_h
%% Special files
config[config.h] -.-> ui
config -.-> game
%% Generated scripts
main --> install[generated/install-osx.sh]
main --> testall[generated/test-all.sh]
%% Resource files
dictionary --> dict_file[resources/dictionary.txt]
game --> tiles_file[resources/tiles.dat]
%% Test files
test_board[tests/test_board.c] --> board
test_game[tests/test_game.c] --> game
test_dict[tests/test_dictionary.c] --> dictionary
%% Style definitions
classDef source fill:#f9d5e5,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px;
classDef header fill:#eeeeee,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px;
classDef resource fill:#d5f9e8,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px;
classDef test fill:#e5f9d5,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px;
classDef generated fill:#d5e5f9,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px;
%% Apply styles
class main,game,ui,board,dictionary source;
class game_h,ui_h,board_h,dictionary_h,config header;
class dict_file,tiles_file resource;
class test_board,test_game,test_dict test;
class install,testall generated;
sequenceDiagram
participant User
participant main as Main
participant ui as UI System
participant game as Game Logic
participant board as Board
participant dict as Dictionary
User->>main: Execute Program
main->>game: Initialize Game
main->>ui: Initialize UI
main->>main: Enter Event Loop
rect rgb(240, 240, 240)
Note over User,dict: User Interaction
User->>ui: Place Tile
ui->>game: Request Place Tile
game->>board: Update Board
game->>ui: Update Display
end
rect rgb(240, 240, 240)
Note over User,dict: Word Verification
User->>ui: Evaluate Move
ui->>game: Request Evaluation
game->>board: Get Words
game->>dict: Validate Words
dict->>game: Return Validity
game->>ui: Show Result
end
rect rgb(240, 240, 240)
Note over User,dict: Turn Completion
User->>ui: Finish Turn
ui->>game: Request Finish Turn
game->>board: Commit Placement
game->>game: Generate New Tiles
game->>game: Update Score
game->>ui: Update Display
end
rect rgb(240, 240, 240)
Note over User,dict: Script Execution (outside game)
User->>+install: Run install-osx.sh
install->>-User: Installation Complete
User->>+testall: Run test-all.sh
testall->>test_board: Run Board Tests
testall->>test_game: Run Game Tests
testall->>test_dict: Run Dictionary Tests
testall->>-User: Tests Complete
end
graph LR
source[Source Files] --> build{Make/CMake}
build -->|compile| obj[Object Files]
obj -->|link| bin[Executable]
bin --> install[Install]
bin --> test[Test]
install -->|macOS| osx[generated/install-osx.sh]
install -->|Linux| linux[generated/install-linux.sh]
test --> test_all[generated/test-all.sh]
osx --> xquartz[XQuartz Setup]
linux --> xlib[X11 Setup]
xquartz --> deployed[Deployed Application]
xlib --> deployed
classDef process fill:#f9d9bb,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px;
classDef file fill:#cce6ff,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px;
classDef script fill:#ccffcc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px;
classDef env fill:#ffcccc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px;
class source,obj,bin file;
class build,install,test process;
class osx,linux,test_all script;
class xquartz,xlib,deployed env;