Re: [Boost-users] [program_options] Translating messages to another language

From: Jens Seidel (jensseidel_at_[hidden])
Date: 2007-10-24 05:15:53

On Wed, Oct 24, 2007 at 11:12:28AM +0400, Vladimir Prus wrote:
> Pavel Syomin wrote:
> > I am writing some application that uses program_options. This
> > application interacts with user using non-english language. Is there any
> > way to translate "what" messages from exceptions to another language? At
> > now I found only one way (rather hack :) ):
> 
> No, sorry.
> 
> The classic solution would be to wrap all english texts with "i18n", and
> then use gettext or similar to extract such strings, prepare translations
> and then use it. But, this requires changing Boost build process to actually
> run gettext. I suspect somebody will surely object, since gettext is not
> portable ;-)

But a gettext approach uses nearly always macros such as _("") and
N_(""). If Boost would at least mark all translatable texts using _() or
N_() a user who wishs i18n support could define these macros (e.g. by
including first a new boost/i18n.h file) and have messages translatable.

Of course this would also require that xgettext scans not only users
source code but also Boost's one but Boost could at least provide PO
files containing translations so that users can merge these with own
files.

Since most Boost libraries are header only, it makes no sense to ship
binary .mo files and the user has to care about Boost's message
translation himself.

At least it would be possible ...

Jens