msgfmt

compiles message catalog files from human-readable PO format to binary MO

TLDR

Compile PO file to MO

$ msgfmt -o [messages.mo] [messages.po]

Check PO file for errors

$ msgfmt --check [messages.po]

Verbose output

$ msgfmt -v -o [messages.mo] [messages.po]

Generate statistics

$ msgfmt --statistics [messages.po]

Compile all PO files

$ for f in *.po; do msgfmt -o "${f%.po}.mo" "$f"; done

msgfmt compiles message catalog files from human-readable PO (Portable Object) format to binary MO (Machine Object) format used by gettext at runtime.This is a key step in localizing applications using GNU gettext.

PARAMETERS

-o file

Output file.

-c, --check

Check for errors.

-v, --verbose

Verbose output.

--statistics

Show translation statistics.

-f, --use-fuzzy

Include fuzzy translations.

--strict

Strict mode.

WORKFLOW

$ xgettext → POT file (template)
msginit → PO file (translations)
msgfmt → MO file (binary)

EXAMPLE

$ # Compile with checking
msgfmt --check --statistics -o locale/de/LC_MESSAGES/app.mo de.po

# Result: 150 translated, 3 fuzzy, 2 untranslated

INSTALL

sudo apt install gettext

sudo dnf install gettext

sudo pacman -S gettext

sudo apk add gettext

brew install gettext

nix profile install nixpkgs#gettext

CAVEATS

Syntax errors in PO prevent compilation. Fuzzy translations excluded by default. Output encoding must match system.

HISTORY

msgfmt is part of GNU gettext, the standard internationalization system for Unix, developed as part of the GNU Project.