Best practices for creating various language-packs on a site? PHP

Question

I've created a language pack for a site before, but I'm not sure if what I'm doing is the best method.

Basically, all I have is a file with variables defining string constants. Usually a set of arrays where an array usually refers to a particular elements of the site.

Then the site code just includes the appropriate file based on a flag and then echo's out the appropriate array element.

What are some ways of doing this to reduce maintenance headaches and performance?

Answer 1

A couple of the most common ways to do this are:

1) Use define('SOME_STRING', 'Some string'); - simply have a different file stuffed with these defines for each language. This is very easy, and you don't have to use "global" all over the place.

2) Wrap strings in a function: translate('My String') - this is more flexible as you can parse your code to create lists of strings to translate, and add in features like variables, e.g. translate('I can count to [number]', 10); (of course, you normally pick a shorter function name, like "_")

Answer 2

The best option you could have, with PHP, is GetText, but not all the server have it built-in, so it may be a show stopper if you're managing your server.

Answer 3

I suggest using Zend_Translate. It is somewhat a combination of the other suggestions people left here, only more maintainable and better designed.

You can switch adapters depending on your preference (supports gettext, csv and a multitude of others), you don't need defines or globals polluting your global scope and it is well documented.

Answer 4

Thanks for the help guys, I'll try out zend translate since I build on the zend framework. Not sure why I didn't know about the object before :P