PO Files and Mo files

The PO file is a set of application specifications for the GNU GetText Project and belongs to the L10N program.

A PO is an abbreviated form of portable object (portable); MO is an abbreviated form of Machine object (Machine objects).

A PO file is a resource file that is extracted from source code for translators. When the software upgrade, the use of the GetText package to process PO files, to some extent, the translation results can be inherited, reduce the burden of translators.

The MO file is a computer-oriented binary file compiled from the PO file through the GetText package. The program converts its interface into the language used by the user by reading the MO file.

The GNU GetText is a package that is created to enable software internationalization support.

I18N is the abbreviated form of internationalization, meaning that there are 18 letters between I and N, meant to mean "internationalization" of software. L10N is the abbreviated form of localization, which means that there are 10 letters between L and N, meaning "localization" of the software.

In accordance with the practice of software development, the original software only in English version, as required, the author then the software interface and documents translated into different countries, regions of the language version. However, due to the different factors such as the way of translation, the efficiency of translation and the reusability of translation, translation work is faced with great difficulties, which hinders the popularization and application of the software.

In order to easily translate the software into different language versions, a set of translation specifications and common tools is needed, which leads to the emergence of the "internationalization" mechanism. Only translation is not enough, the same language in different countries, regions may exist multiple branches, they are in the expression of habits, grammatical structure and even the type and coding of words are different, dialect is strange, the general translation of its quality is certainly not high. Related to the computer field, there are differences in operating habits, and a language to provide the perfect input, display, print, save, transmission is not an easy thing, which led to the emergence of "localization" mechanism.

In short, "internationalization" is a part of "localization", mainly refers to the internationalization of the implementation mechanism and translation work, "localization" contains "internationalization", is to "internationalization" complement and perfect, It also includes targeted translation adjustments and patching of software to achieve good support for a particular language.

The international organization of I18N and L10N is the openi18n organization, formerly known as the Li18nux organization. It turned out to be an international plan for the globalization of software on Gnu/linux free operating systems, and later expanded to all the open source technical fields outside Gnu/linux, and was renamed Open Internationalization initiative by non-profit organizations Free standards Group sponsorship, and support for the world's major manufacturers, for the gnu/linux system of multi-language word processing technology and environment have a decisive impact. Open source software development organizations typically have branches that are responsible for "internationalization" and "localization" work.

i18n mainly uses the GetText package to enable internationalization of the software, in fact it is a complete set of i18n solutions.

The method of Chinese PO file compilation generate Mo file