git-sh-i18n

. git-sh-i18n

The `git-sh-i18n` script is a crucial component of Git's internationalization (i18n) infrastructure. It provides functions and utilities that enable Git to support multiple languages in its user interface and messages. It simplifies the process of translating Git's output into different languages by providing a consistent mechanism for retrieving translated strings. It defines functions to identify the users locale and loads the corresponding translation. It also provides functions for escaping strings for use in different contexts, such as shell scripts or messages, to ensure that they are displayed correctly regardless of the user's locale.

While users don't typically invoke `git-sh-i18n` directly, Git's scripts rely on it to ensure that messages and outputs are displayed in the user's preferred language. Understanding this script is helpful for contributors who wish to add or improve language support in Git.

This script is intended for internal Git use and is not meant to be called directly by users. Its functions should only be used within the Git development environment to leverage Git's internationalization capabilities.

Typically, `git-sh-i18n` is sourced into a Git script using the `. git-sh-i18n` command. This makes its functions available for use within that script. The primary functions provided by `git-sh-i18n` include mechanisms for determining the user's locale and retrieving translated strings based on that locale. These functions are utilized throughout Git's scripts to display messages in the user's language.

The `git-sh-i18n` script forms a crucial part of the Git localization workflow. It facilitates the process of extracting translatable strings from Git's source code, managing translations in different languages, and integrating those translations into the Git codebase. Localization process ensures that Git can effectively communicate with users worldwide in their native languages.

The `git-sh-i18n` script has evolved alongside Git's growth and its commitment to internationalization. As Git's user base expanded globally, the need for robust i18n support became increasingly important. The script's functions have been refined over time to handle the complexities of different character encodings, locales, and translation workflows. Initially, locale management was hardcoded. Later refactoring allowed simplified management and automatic translation lookups.

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