msgfmt

Compile a file to messages.mo

$ msgfmt [file.po]

$ msgfmt [path/to/file.po] [[-o|--output-file]] [path/to/file.mo]

$ msgfmt [[-h|--help]]

msgfmt [options] input.po

-v, --verbose
    Enable verbose output, showing more information during compilation.

-d, --directory=directory
    Specify the directory where the output `.mo` file should be placed.

-o, --output-file=file
    Specify the name of the output `.mo` file.

-r, --revisions
    Output GNU style revision string.

-c, --check
    Perform syntax checking on the input `.po` file.

-j, --java
    Cause java-style .properties file to be written.

--strict
    Use strict rules.

--color
    Use colors and other text attributes on the terminal.

--statistics
    Print statistics about the translations.

--use-fuzzy
    Use fuzzy translations

--no-location
    Do not include '#: filename:line' lines.

--template
    Generate PO file suitable for use as template.

--qt
    Synonym for --template

--desktop
    Synonym for --template

--tcl
    Synonym for --template

--width=number
    Set output page width.

--version
    Display version information and exit.

--help
    Display help information and exit.

The msgfmt command compiles a message catalog source file (usually with a `.po` extension) into a binary message catalog file (usually with a `.mo` extension). These binary catalogs are used by programs to provide localized messages. msgfmt analyzes the input `.po` file, checking for syntax errors and inconsistencies in the translations. It then optimizes the message catalog for efficient runtime lookup by converting it into a compact binary format.

The primary goal is to prepare translation files created by human translators using tools like `poedit` or `transifex` for use within applications that support gettext-based localization. The `.mo` file contains both the original strings and their translated equivalents, allowing the program to display messages in the user's preferred language.

msgfmt relies on the input `.po` file being correctly formatted according to the gettext standards. Errors in the `.po` file can lead to compilation failures or incorrect translations at runtime.

The msgfmt command exits with a status of 0 if the compilation is successful. Non-zero exit codes indicate errors during processing.

msgfmt is a core utility within the GNU gettext package. It was developed as part of the GNU project to provide a standardized and portable framework for software internationalization and localization. The command has been in use for a long time and it's continuously improved with new features and optimizations related to new programming languages and applications.

gettext(1), xgettext(1), poedit(1)