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
SYNOPSIS
msgfmt [options] file.po ...
DESCRIPTION
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)
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
msgfmt --check --statistics -o locale/de/LC_MESSAGES/app.mo de.po
# Result: 150 translated, 3 fuzzy, 2 untranslated
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.