# Julius

> speech recognition software

**Wikidata**: [Q1712451](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1712451)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_(software))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/julius

## Summary
Julius is an open-source speech recognition software engine designed for the automatic conversion of spoken language into text. It functions as a large vocabulary continuous speech recognition (CSR) system and is distributed under the 3-clause BSD license. The software is written in C and is compatible with Linux and Microsoft Windows operating systems.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Free software; Speech recognition software.
- **Primary Function:** Automatic conversion of spoken language into text (Large Vocabulary Continuous Speech Recognition).
- **License:** 3-clause BSD License.
- **Latest Stable Version:** Version 4.6 (released September 2, 2020).
- **Operating Systems:** Linux and Microsoft Windows.
- **Programming Language:** C.
- **Source Repository:** `https://github.com/julius-speech/julius`
- **Package Availability:** Available in standard repositories for Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch Linux, Gentoo, FreeBSD, and Homebrew.
- **Alternative Names:** Julius (Programa).

## FAQs
### Q: Is Julius free to use?
A: Yes, Julius is free software released under the 3-clause BSD License, allowing for open usage and modification.

### Q: What operating systems are compatible with Julius?
A: Julius is primarily designed to run on Linux and Microsoft Windows. It is also available via FreeBSD ports and Homebrew.

### Q: What is the most recent version of Julius?
A: The most recent stable release is version 4.6, which was published on September 2, 2020.

## Why It Matters
Julius serves as a significant tool in the field of computational linguistics and accessibility due to its status as an open-source large vocabulary continuous speech recognition (LVCSR) engine. By providing a software solution that converts spoken language into text without requiring proprietary licensing fees, it lowers the barrier to entry for developers and researchers working on voice-enabled applications. Its implementation in C ensures high portability across different computing environments, specifically within the Unix-like ecosystem (Linux) and Windows. The software's widespread inclusion in major package managers—such as Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch Linux, and Homebrew—highlights its utility as a standard, reliable component in the open-source software stack. It addresses the fundamental need for automatic speech transcription, supporting various applications in accessibility tools and automated dictation systems.

## Notable For
- **Open-Source LVCSR:** Functions as a "Large Vocabulary Continuous Speech Recognition" engine, a sophisticated category of speech recognition.
- **Cross-Platform Availability:** While optimized for Linux, it maintains compatibility with Microsoft Windows and is packaged for FreeBSD and macOS (via Homebrew).
- **Broad Distribution:** Recognized across nearly all major open-source operating system repositories (Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, Gentoo).
- **Permissive Licensing:** Uses the 3-clause BSD License, which is less restrictive than copyleft licenses like the GPL.
- **Active Development:** Received updates as recently as September 2020 (Version 4.6), indicating ongoing maintenance.

## Body
### Functionality and Technology
Julius is an instance of free software dedicated to speech recognition. It is classified technically as a "Large Vocabulary Continuous Speech Recognition" (CSR) engine. The software's core use is the automatic conversion of spoken language into text. The program is written in the C programming language (referenced as Q15777 in technical data).

### Version History
The software has undergone consistent updates, with the "preferred" and most recent stable release being version 4.6.
- **Version 4.6:** Released on September 2, 2020.
- **Version 4.5:** Released on January 2, 2019.
- **Version 4.4.2.1:** Released on December 24, 2016.
- **Version 4.4.2:** Released on September 12, 2016.
- **Version 4.4.1:** Released on September 7, 2016.
- **Version 4.4:** Released on August 30, 2016.
- **Version 4.3.1:** A stable version with publication dates listed as January 15, 2014, and September 24, 2015.

### Distribution and Installation
Julius is widely accessible through various software repositories and package managers, facilitating easy installation on different systems:
- **Linux:** Available as `julius` in Fedora, Ubuntu, and Arch Linux packages; available as `app-accessibility/julius` in Gentoo.
- **BSD:** Available via the FreeBSD port `audio/julius`.
- **macOS:** Available via the Homebrew formula `julius`.
- **Source Code:** The code is maintained in a GitHub repository at `https://github.com/julius-speech/julius`.

### Licensing and Rights
The software is fully copyrighted but distributed freely under the **3-clause BSD License**. This license permits redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, provided that specific conditions regarding copyright notices are met.

## References

1. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/julius-speech/julius)
2. [Open-Source Large Vocabulary CSR Engine Julius](http://julius.osdn.jp/en_index.php#latest_version)
3. [Release 4.3.1. 2015](https://github.com/julius-speech/julius/releases/tag/v4.3.1)
4. [julius: Open-Source Large Vocabulary Continuous Speech Recognition Engine](https://github.com/julius-speech/julius/releases/tag/v4.4.2.1)
5. [Release 4.4.2. 2016](https://github.com/julius-speech/julius/releases/tag/v4.4.2)
6. [Release 4.4.1. 2016](https://github.com/julius-speech/julius/releases/tag/v4.4.1)
7. [Release 4.4. 2016](https://github.com/julius-speech/julius/releases/tag/v4.4)
8. [Release 4.5. 2019](https://github.com/julius-speech/julius/releases/tag/v4.5)
9. [Release 4.6. 2020](https://github.com/julius-speech/julius/releases/tag/v4.6)