msginit Command in Linux
msginit is a Linux command-line tool used to create a new .po file, which is essential for software localization. This command helps generate an initial translation file, ensuring that the structure and metadata are correctly set up. It's a key tool in the GNU gettext package, making it easier to start translating messages in your software.
Table of Contents
Here is a comprehensive guide to the options available with the msginit command −
Syntax of msginit Command
The basic syntax for the msginit command involves specifying various options to customize the creation of the .po file.
msginit [options]
msginit Command Options
The command offers several options to tailor the creation of your .po file. Here are some of the key ones −
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| -i, --input=FILE | Specify the name of the input file containing the messages. |
| -l, --locale=LOCALE | Set the target locale for the translations (e.g., en_US). |
| -o, --output=FILE | Name the output .po file. |
| --no-translator | Do not include the translator's name and email address. |
| --no-default-keywords | Do not use default keywords (gettext, _, etc.). |
| -p, --properties-input | Treat the input file as a Java .properties file. |
| -w, --width=NUMBER | Set the output page width to the specified number of columns. |
| --no-wrap | Do not wrap long message lines into multiple lines. |
| --force-po | Write the .po file even if it is empty. |
| --indent | Indent the output for better readability. |
| -k, --keyword=WORD | Additional keyword to search for translatable strings. |
| -c, --comments=COMMENT | Add a comment to the header of the .po file. |
Examples of msginit Command in Linux
Here are some hands-on examples of msginit command usage in Linux −
- Creating a Basic .po File
- Specifying Translator Information
- Using Different File Formats
- Creating a .po File Without Default Keywords
- Including a Comment in the Header
Creating a Basic .po File
To create a basic .po file for the French locale from an existing .pot file, use the following command −
msginit --input=messages.pot --locale=fr_FR --output=messages.po
This command generates a .po file named messages.po with French translations.
Specifying Translator Information
If you want to include specific translator information, you can manually edit the header of the .po file after running the command −
msginit --input=messages.pot --locale=fr_FR --output=messages.po
Then, open messages.po and add your name and email in the header.
Using Different File Formats
To create a .po file from a Java properties file, use −
msginit --input=messages.properties --locale=es_ES --output=messages.po --properties-input
This command converts a Java properties file into a .po file for the Spanish locale.
Creating a .po File Without Default Keywords
To create a .po file without using default keywords, use −
msginit --input=messages.pot --locale=de_DE --output=messages.po --no-default-keywords
This command generates a .po file for the German locale without the default keywords.
Including a Comment in the Header
To add a specific comment to the header of the .po file, use −
msginit --input=messages.pot --locale=it_IT --output=messages.po --comments="Initial Italian Translation"
This command creates a .po file for the Italian locale with a custom comment in the header.
Conclusion
The msginit command is a versatile tool in Linux for initializing .po files for translations. By using the various options and examples provided, you can efficiently create and manage translation files for your software projects.
Whether you're localizing for multiple languages or just starting with one, msginit simplifies the initial setup and ensures your .po files are correctly structured.