Anki
Encyclopedia
Anki is a spaced repetition
flashcard
program. The software is similar to SuperMemo
, a commercial product for the same purpose, and Mnemosyne
, another free
flashcard program. Anki (暗記) is the Japanese
word for "memorizing".
The SM2 algorithm, created for SuperMemo in the late 1980s, forms the basis of the spaced repetition methods employed in the program. Anki's implementation of the algorithm
has been modified to allow priorities on cards, and to show cards in order of their urgency.
The cards are presented using HTML
, and may include text, images, sounds and LaTeX
equations. The decks of cards, along with the user's statistics, are stored in the open SQLite
format.
Within Anki, data is held in two forms: "facts" and "cards". Facts are like database entries and can have an arbitrary number of fields. For example, for learning a language, a fact may have the following fields and example entries:
This example illustrates a three-sided flashcard, but Anki's model is more general, allowing any number of fields, combined in various cards.
The user can then design cards that test the information contained in each fact. One card may have a question (expression) and an answer (pronunciation, meaning).
By keeping the separate cards linked to the same fact, spelling mistakes can be adjusted against all cards at the same time, and Anki can make sure related cards are not shown in too short a spacing.
Spaced repetition
Spaced repetition is a learning technique that incorporates increasing intervals of time between subsequent review of previously learned material; this exploits the psychological spacing effect...
flashcard
Flashcard
A flashcard or flash card is a set of cards bearing information, as words or numbers, on either or both sides, used in classroom drills or in private study. One writes a question on a card and an answer overleaf. Flashcards can bear vocabulary, historical dates, formulas or any subject matter that...
program. The software is similar to SuperMemo
SuperMemo
SuperMemo is a learning method and software package developed by SuperMemo World and SuperMemo R&D with Piotr Wozniak in Poland from 1985 to the present...
, a commercial product for the same purpose, and Mnemosyne
Mnemosyne (software)
Mnemosyne is spaced repetition software developed from 2003 until the present. The software is similar to SuperMemo, commercial software developed by Piotr Wozniak....
, another free
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
flashcard program. Anki (暗記) is the Japanese
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
word for "memorizing".
The SM2 algorithm, created for SuperMemo in the late 1980s, forms the basis of the spaced repetition methods employed in the program. Anki's implementation of the algorithm
Algorithm
In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm is an effective method expressed as a finite list of well-defined instructions for calculating a function. Algorithms are used for calculation, data processing, and automated reasoning...
has been modified to allow priorities on cards, and to show cards in order of their urgency.
The cards are presented using HTML
HTML
HyperText Markup Language is the predominant markup language for web pages. HTML elements are the basic building-blocks of webpages....
, and may include text, images, sounds and LaTeX
LaTeX
LaTeX is a document markup language and document preparation system for the TeX typesetting program. Within the typesetting system, its name is styled as . The term LaTeX refers only to the language in which documents are written, not to the editor used to write those documents. In order to...
equations. The decks of cards, along with the user's statistics, are stored in the open SQLite
SQLite
SQLite is an ACID-compliant embedded relational database management system contained in a relatively small C programming library. The source code for SQLite is in the public domain and implements most of the SQL standard...
format.
Facts
Anki stores data differently compared to other flashcard programs.Within Anki, data is held in two forms: "facts" and "cards". Facts are like database entries and can have an arbitrary number of fields. For example, for learning a language, a fact may have the following fields and example entries:
- Field 1: Expression in target language – "gâteau"
- Field 2: Pronunciation – [sound file with the word "gâteau" pronounced]
- Field 3: Meaning in your own language – "cake"
This example illustrates a three-sided flashcard, but Anki's model is more general, allowing any number of fields, combined in various cards.
The user can then design cards that test the information contained in each fact. One card may have a question (expression) and an answer (pronunciation, meaning).
By keeping the separate cards linked to the same fact, spelling mistakes can be adjusted against all cards at the same time, and Anki can make sure related cards are not shown in too short a spacing.
Syncing
Anki supports synchronization with a free online server. This allows the user to keep their decks synchronized across multiple computers, and to study online or on a cell phone.Japanese and Chinese reading generation
Anki will automatically fill in the reading of Japanese and Chinese text. Since version 0.9.9.8.2 these features are in separate plug-ins.Comparisons
Anki's scheduling algorithm is based on an older version of the SuperMemo algorithm (SM2). The Anki author claims that newer versions of the Supermemo algorithm are more susceptible to incorrect scheduling.See also
- Mnemosyne (software)Mnemosyne (software)Mnemosyne is spaced repetition software developed from 2003 until the present. The software is similar to SuperMemo, commercial software developed by Piotr Wozniak....
- Flashcard ExchangeFlashcard ExchangeFlashcard Exchange is a free web-based application for the creation, study, and sharing of flashcards. With more than 21 million flashcards generated by its users, Flashcard Exchange's electronic flashcard library is the biggest in the world.-History:...
- List of flashcard software
- Roger Craig (Jeopardy! contestant)Roger Craig (Jeopardy! contestant)Roger Alan Craig is an American game show contestant who holds the all-time record for single-day winnings on the quiz show Jeopardy! In 2011, Craig returned to Jeopardy, winning the Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions.-Early life and non-game-show career:...
External links
- Anki website
- SM2 Algorithm
- Anki Algorithm