msgcmp Command in Linux
msgcmp is a Linux command-line tool used in software development for comparing message catalogs. It’s a part of the GNU gettext utilities, which are widely used for internationalization and localization of software. This tool helps developers ensure consistency between translations by comparing two .po files (Portable Object files). Essentially, it checks for discrepancies, such as missing or differing translations. This helps ensure all messages are correctly translated.
Table of Contents
Here is a comprehensive guide to the options available with the msgcmp command −
- How to Install msgcmp Command in Linux?
- Syntax of msgcmp Command
- msgcmp Command Options
- Examples of msgcmp Command in Linux
How to Install msgcmp Command in Linux?
msgcmp is part of the GNU gettext package, so you need to install gettext to use msgcmp. The installation process varies depending on your Linux distribution.
On Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install gettext
On CentOS/RHEL
sudo yum install gettext
Syntax of msgcmp Command
To use the msgcmp command in Linux, follow this basic syntax −
msgcmp [options] file1.po file2.po
Where −
- [options] are optional parameters that modify the command's behavior.
- file1.po is the first Portable Object file.
- file2.po is the second Portable Object file for comparison.
msgcmp Command Options
Here are some various options you can apply with the Linux msgcmp command −
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| -D, --directory=Directory | Specifies the directory for input files. |
| -m, --multidomain | Compares msgid and msgstr across multiple domains. |
|
-N, --no-fuzzy-matching --use-fuzzy --use-untranslated |
Disables fuzzy matching. Includes fuzzy translations in the comparison. Includes untranslated entries in the comparison. |
|
-P, --properties-input --stringable-input |
Treats input files as Java .properties files rather than .po files. Treats input files as NeXTstep/GNUstep .strings files. |
| -h, --help | Displays a help message with information about usage and options. |
| -V, --version | Displays the version of msgcmp. |
Examples of msgcmp Command in Linux
Let's present a few examples of msgcmp command on Linux system −
- Basic Comparison
- Verbose Output
- Strict Comparison
- Including Fuzzy Translations
- Including Untranslated Entries
- Checking Header Entries
Basic Comparison
To perform a basic comparison between two .po files, use −
msgcmp file1.po file2.po
This command compares file1.po with file2.po and outputs any discrepancies found.
Verbose Output
For a more detailed comparison process, use the --verbose option −
msgcmp --verbose file1.po file2.po
This command provides additional details about the comparison process, which can be helpful for debugging.
Strict Comparison
To ensure a strict comparison, failing on any discrepancy, use the -M option −
msgcmp -M file1.po file2.po
This command will fail the comparison if there are any inconsistencies between the files.
Including Fuzzy Translations
If you want to include fuzzy translations in the comparison, use the --use-fuzzy option −
msgcmp --use-fuzzy file1.po file2.po
This command includes translations marked as fuzzy in the comparison, providing a more comprehensive check.
Including Untranslated Entries
To include untranslated entries in the comparison, use the --use-untranslated option −
msgcmp --use-untranslated file1.po file2.po
This command includes untranslated entries, ensuring that every message is checked.
Checking Header Entries
To check the header entries in the .po files for discrepancies, use the --check-header option −
msgcmp --check-header file1.po file2.po
This command ensures that the header information is also compared and verified for consistency.
Conclusion
msgcmp is an essential tool for developers working on the internationalization and localization of software. By comparing message catalogs, it ensures that translations are consistent and accurate.
Whether performing basic comparisons, enabling verbose output, or checking header entries, msgcmp provides the necessary functionality to maintain high-quality translations. By following this guide, you can effectively use msgcmp to manage and verify your software translations.