Msginit

Msginit is a command-line utility within the GNU gettext internationalization framework. It initializes a translation file for a specific locale from an existing portable object template (POT). By generating a new PO file with the correct headers, language metadata, and a skeleton of messages, it streamlines localization workflows for software projects.

In typical use, a POT file is first created by xgettext from source strings. Msginit then creates the locale-specific PO file from this template. The tool accepts options to specify the input POT, the target locale, and the output PO file, as well as metadata such as project name, author, and description. The resulting PO file contains standardized headers (including Project-Id-Version, Language, and Plural-Forms) and placeholder translations ready for translators to complete. It also handles standard i18n features like message contexts and plural forms.

Once translations are added, developers commonly use msgfmt to compile the PO file into a binary MO file for runtime use. Msginit supports encoding and localization details appropriate for the target language, facilitating consistent translation workflows across platforms and teams.

Availability and scope: Msginit is part of the GNU gettext package and is widely used in open-source and commercial projects that require internationalization. It is available on Unix-like systems and can be installed on Windows through gettext distributions or package managers that provide gettext tools. Its role is primarily during project setup and localization pipelines rather than at runtime.

See also: gettext, xgettext, msgfmt, msgmerge.