slang 3.7.0-dev.0 slang: ^3.7.0-dev.0 copied to clipboard
Localization / Internationalization (i18n) solution. Use JSON, YAML or CSV files to create typesafe translations via source generation.
slang #
[s]tructured [lan]guage file [g]enerator
Type-safe i18n solution using JSON, YAML or CSV files.
The official successor of fast_i18n.
About this library #
- π Minimal setup, create JSON files and get started! No configuration needed.
- π Bug-resistant, no typos or missing arguments possible due to compile-time checking.
- β‘ Fast, you get translations using native dart method calls, zero parsing!
- π Organized, split large files into smaller ones via namespaces.
- π¨ Configurable, English is not the default language? Configure it in
build.yaml
!
You can see an example of the generated file here.
This is how you access the translations:
final t = Translations.of(context); // there is also a static getter without context
String a = t.mainScreen.title; // simple use case
String b = t.game.end.highscore(score: 32.6); // with parameters
String c = t.items(n: 2); // with pluralization
String d = t.greet(name: 'Tom', context: Gender.male); // with custom context
String e = t.intro.step[4]; // with index
String f = t.error.type['WARNING']; // with dynamic key
String g = t['mainScreen.title']; // with fully dynamic key
TextSpan h = t.greet(name: TextSpan(text: 'Tom')); // with RichText
PageData page0 = t.onboarding.pages[0]; // with interfaces
PageData page1 = t.onboarding.pages[1];
String i = page1.title; // type-safe call
Table of Contents #
- Getting Started
- Configuration
- Main Features
- Complex Features
- Structuring Features
- Other Features
- Tools
- Integrations
- FAQ
- Further Reading
Getting Started #
Coming from ARB? There is a tool for that.
Step 1: Add dependencies
You will probably need at least 2 packages: slang and slang_flutter.
dependencies:
slang: <version>
slang_flutter: <version> # also add this if you use flutter
dev_dependencies:
build_runner: <version> # if you use build_runner (1/2)
slang_build_runner: <version> # if you use build_runner (2/2)
Step 2: Create JSON files
Create these files inside your lib
directory. For example, lib/i18n
.
Writing translations into assets folder requires extra configuration (see FAQ).
Format:
<namespace>_<locale?>.<extension>
You can ignore the namespace for this basic example, so just use a generic name like strings
.
Example:
lib/
βββ i18n/
βββ strings.i18n.json
βββ strings_de.i18n.json
βββ strings_zh-CN.i18n.json <-- example for country code
// File: strings.i18n.json (mandatory, base locale)
{
"hello": "Hello $name",
"save": "Save",
"login": {
"success": "Logged in successfully",
"fail": "Logged in failed"
}
}
// File: strings_de.i18n.json
{
"hello": "Hallo $name",
"save": "Speichern",
"login": {
"success": "Login erfolgreich",
"fail": "Login fehlgeschlagen"
}
}
Step 3: Generate the dart code
Built-in:
# Recommended during development. It runs much faster than build_runner.
flutter pub run slang
Alternative (requires slang_build_runner):
# Useful for CI and initial git checkout.
flutter pub run build_runner build --delete-conflicting-outputs
Step 4: Initialize
a) use device locale
void main() {
WidgetsFlutterBinding.ensureInitialized(); // add this
LocaleSettings.useDeviceLocale(); // and this
runApp(MyApp());
}
b) use specific locale
@override
void initState() {
super.initState();
String storedLocale = loadFromStorage(); // your logic here
LocaleSettings.setLocaleRaw(storedLocale);
}
c) use dependency injection (aka "I handle it myself")
final english = AppLocale.en.build();
final german = AppLocale.de.build();
// read
String a = german.login.success;
You can ignore step 4a and 5 (but not 4b) if you handle the locale yourself.
Step 4a: Flutter locale
This is optional but recommended.
Standard flutter controls (e.g. back button's tooltip) will also pick the right locale.
# File: pubspec.yaml
dependencies:
flutter:
sdk: flutter
flutter_localizations: # add this
sdk: flutter
void main() {
WidgetsFlutterBinding.ensureInitialized();
runApp(TranslationProvider(child: MyApp())); // Wrap your app with TranslationProvider
}
MaterialApp(
locale: TranslationProvider.of(context).flutterLocale, // use provider
supportedLocales: LocaleSettings.supportedLocales,
localizationsDelegates: GlobalMaterialLocalizations.delegates,
child: YourFirstScreen(),
)
Step 4b: iOS configuration
File: ios/Runner/Info.plist
<key>CFBundleLocalizations</key>
<array>
<string>en</string>
<string>de</string>
</array>
Step 5: Use your translations
import 'package:my_app/i18n/strings.g.dart'; // import
String a = t.login.success; // get translation
Configuration #
This is optional. This library works without any configuration (in most cases).
For customization, you can create a slang.yaml
or a build.yaml
file. Place it in the root directory.
slang.yaml (Click to open example)
If you don't use build_runner
, then you can define your config in slang.yaml
for less boilerplate.
base_locale: fr
fallback_strategy: base_locale
input_directory: lib/i18n
input_file_pattern: .i18n.json
output_directory: lib/i18n
output_file_name: translations.g.dart
output_format: single_file
locale_handling: true
flutter_integration: true
namespaces: false
translate_var: t
enum_name: AppLocale
translation_class_visibility: private
key_case: snake
key_map_case: camel
param_case: pascal
string_interpolation: double_braces
flat_map: false
translation_overrides: false
timestamp: true
maps:
- error.codes
- category
- iconNames
pluralization:
auto: cardinal
default_parameter: n
cardinal:
- someKey.apple
ordinal:
- someKey.place
contexts:
gender_context:
enum:
- male
- female
paths:
- my.path.to.greet
default_parameter: gender
generate_enum: true
interfaces:
PageData: onboarding.pages.*
PageData2:
paths:
- my.path
- cool.pages.*
attributes:
- String title
- String? content
imports:
- 'package:my_package/path_to_enum.dart'
build.yaml (Click to open example)
Using build.yaml
is necessary if you use build_runner
.
targets:
$default:
builders:
slang_build_runner:
options:
base_locale: fr
fallback_strategy: base_locale
input_directory: lib/i18n
input_file_pattern: .i18n.json
output_directory: lib/i18n
output_file_name: translations.g.dart
output_format: single_file
locale_handling: true
flutter_integration: true
namespaces: false
translate_var: t
enum_name: AppLocale
translation_class_visibility: private
key_case: snake
key_map_case: camel
param_case: pascal
string_interpolation: double_braces
flat_map: false
translation_overrides: false
timestamp: true
maps:
- error.codes
- category
- iconNames
pluralization:
auto: cardinal
default_parameter: n
cardinal:
- someKey.apple
ordinal:
- someKey.place
contexts:
gender_context:
enum:
- male
- female
paths:
- my.path.to.greet
default_parameter: gender
generate_enum: true
interfaces:
PageData: onboarding.pages.*
PageData2:
paths:
- my.path
- cool.pages.*
attributes:
- String title
- String? content
imports:
- 'package:my_package/path_to_enum.dart'
Key | Type | Usage | Default |
---|---|---|---|
base_locale |
String |
locale of default json | en |
fallback_strategy |
none , base_locale |
handle missing translations (i) | none |
input_directory |
String |
path to input directory | null |
input_file_pattern |
String |
input file pattern, must end with .json, .yaml or .csv | .i18n.json |
output_directory |
String |
path to output directory | null |
output_file_name |
String |
output file name | null |
output_format |
single_file , multiple_files |
split output files (i) | single_file |
locale_handling |
Boolean |
generate locale handling logic (i) | true |
flutter_integration |
Boolean |
generate flutter features (i) | true |
namespaces |
Boolean |
split input files (i) | false |
translate_var |
String |
translate variable name | t |
enum_name |
String |
enum name | AppLocale |
translation_class_visibility |
private , public |
class visibility | private |
key_case |
null , camel , pascal , snake |
transform keys (optional) (i) | null |
key_map_case |
null , camel , pascal , snake |
transform keys for maps (optional) (i) | null |
param_case |
null , camel , pascal , snake |
transform parameters (optional) (i) | null |
string_interpolation |
dart , braces , double_braces |
string interpolation mode (i) | dart |
flat_map |
Boolean |
generate flat map (i) | true |
translation_overrides |
Boolean |
enable translation overrides (i) | false |
timestamp |
Boolean |
write "Built on" timestamp | true |
maps |
List<String> |
entries which should be accessed via keys (i) | [] |
pluralization /auto |
off , cardinal , ordinal |
detect plurals automatically (i) | cardinal |
pluralization /default_parameter |
String |
default plural parameter (i) | n |
pluralization /cardinal |
List<String> |
entries which have cardinals | [] |
pluralization /ordinal |
List<String> |
entries which have ordinals | [] |
<context> /enum |
List<String> |
context forms (i) | no default |
<context> /paths |
List<String> |
entries using this context | [] |
<context> /default_parameter |
String |
default parameter name | context |
<context> /generate_enum |
Boolean |
generate enum | true |
children of interfaces |
Pairs of Alias:Path |
alias interfaces (i) | null |
imports |
List<String> |
generate import statements | [] |
Main Features #
β€ File Types #
Supported file types: JSON (default)
, YAML
and CSV
.
To change to YAML or CSV, please modify input_file_pattern
.
# Config
input_directory: assets/i18n
input_file_pattern: .i18n.yaml # must end with .json, .yaml or .csv
JSON Example
{
"welcome": {
"title": "Welcome $name"
}
}
YAML Example
welcome:
title: Welcome $name # some comment
CSV Example
You may also combine multiple locales into one CSV (see Compact CSV).
# Format: <key>, <translation>
welcome.title,Welcome $name
pages.0.title,First Page
pages.1.title,Second Page
β€ String Interpolation #
Translations often have a dynamic parameter. There are multiple ways to define them.
# Config
string_interpolation: dart # change to braces or double_braces
You can always escape them by adding a backslash, e.g. \{notAnArgument}
.
dart (default)
Hello $name. I am ${height}m.
braces
Hello {name}
double_braces
Hello {{name}}
β€ RichText #
You can add multiple styles to one translation.
To do this, please add the (rich)
modifier.
Parameters are formatted according to string_interpolation
.
Default text can be defined via brackets (...)
, e.g. underline(here)
.
{
"myText(rich)": "Welcome $name. Please click ${tapHere(here)}!"
}
Usage:
// Text.rich is a Flutter built-in feature!
Widget a = Text.rich(t.myText(
// Show name in blue color
name: TextSpan(text: 'Tom', style: TextStyle(color: Colors.blue)),
// Turn 'here' into a link
tapHere: (text) => TextSpan(
text: text,
style: TextStyle(color: Colors.blue),
recognizer: TapGestureRecognizer()..onTap=(){
print('tap');
},
),
));
β€ Lists #
Lists are fully supported. No configuration needed. You can also put lists or maps inside lists!
{
"niceList": [
"hello",
"nice",
[
"first item in nested list",
"second item in nested list"
],
{
"wow": "WOW!",
"ok": "OK!"
},
{
"a map entry": "access via key",
"another entry": "access via second key"
}
]
}
String a = t.niceList[1]; // "nice"
String b = t.niceList[2][0]; // "first item in nested list"
String c = t.niceList[3].ok; // "OK!"
String d = t.niceList[4]['a map entry']; // "access via key"
β€ Maps #
You can access each translation via string keys.
Add the (map)
modifier.
// File: strings.i18n.json
{
"a(map)": {
"hello world": "hello"
},
"b": {
"b0": "hey",
"b1(map)": {
"hi there": "hi"
}
}
}
For large projects with lots of locales, it may be better to specify them in the config file.
# Config
maps: # Applies to all locales!
- a
- b.b1
Now you can access the translations via keys:
String a = t.a['hello world']; // "hello"
String b = t.b.b0; // "hey"
String c = t.b.b1['hi there']; // "hi"
β€ Dynamic Keys / Flat Map #
A more general solution to Maps. ALL translations are accessible via an one-dimensional map.
It is supported out of the box. No configuration needed.
This can be disabled globally by setting flat_map: false
.
String a = t['myPath.anotherPath'];
String b = t['myPath.anotherPath.3']; // with index for arrays
String c = t['myPath.anotherPath'](name: 'Tom'); // with arguments
β€ Modifiers #
There are several modifiers for further adjustments.
You can combine multiple modifiers with commas like this:
{
"apple(plural, param=appleCount, rich)": {
"one": "I have $appleCount apple.",
"other": "I have $appleCount apples."
}
}
Available Modifiers:
Modifier | Meaning | Applicable for |
---|---|---|
(rich) |
This is a rich text. | Leaves, Maps (Plural / Context) |
(map) |
This is a map / dictionary (and not a class). | Maps |
(plural) |
This is a plural (type: cardinal) | Maps |
(cardinal) |
This is a plural (type: cardinal) | Maps |
(ordinal) |
This is a plural (type: ordinal) | Maps |
(context=<Context Type>) |
This is a context of type <Context Type> |
Maps |
(param=<Param Name>) |
This has the parameter <Param Name> |
Maps (Plural / Context) |
Complex Features #
β€ Linked Translations #
You can link one translation to another. Add the prefix @:
followed by the absolute path of the desired translation.
{
"fields": {
"name": "my name is {firstName}",
"age": "I am {age} years old"
},
"introduce": "Hello, @:fields.name and @:fields.age"
}
String s = t.introduce(firstName: 'Tom', age: 27); // Hello, my name is Tom and I am 27 years old.
If namespaces are used, then it has to be specified in the path too.
RichTexts can also contain links! But only RichTexts can link to RichTexts.
β€ Pluralization #
This library uses the concept defined here.
Some languages have support out of the box. See here.
Plurals are detected by the following keywords: zero
, one
, two
, few
, many
, other
.
// File: strings.i18n.json
{
"someKey": {
"apple": {
"one": "I have $n apple.",
"other": "I have $n apples."
}
}
}
String a = t.someKey.apple(n: 1); // I have 1 apple.
String b = t.someKey.apple(n: 2); // I have 2 apples.
The detected plurals are cardinals by default.
To specify ordinals, you need to add the (ordinal)
modifier.
// File: strings.i18n.json
{
"someKey": {
"apple(cardinal)": {
// cardinal
"one": "I have $n apple.",
"other": "I have $n apples."
},
"place(ordinal)": {
// ordinal (rarely used)
"one": "${n}st place.",
"two": "${n}nd place.",
"few": "${n}rd place.",
"other": "${n}th place."
}
}
}
You can also specify all plural forms in the global config.
# Config
pluralization: # Applies to all locales!
auto: off
cardinal:
- someKey.apple
ordinal:
- someKey.place
In case your language is not supported, you must provide a custom pluralization resolver:
// add this before you call the pluralization strings. Otherwise an exception will be thrown.
// you don't need to specify both
LocaleSettings.setPluralResolver(
locale: AppLocale.en,
cardinalResolver: (n, {zero, one, two, few, many, other}) {
if (n == 0)
return zero ?? other!;
if (n == 1)
return one ?? other!;
return other!;
},
ordinalResolver: (n, {zero, one, two, few, many, other}) {
if (n % 10 == 1 && n % 100 != 11)
return one ?? other!;
if (n % 10 == 2 && n % 100 != 12)
return two ?? other!;
if (n % 10 == 3 && n % 100 != 13)
return few ?? other!;
return other!;
},
);
By default, the parameter name is n
. You can change that by adding a modifier.
{
"someKey": {
"apple(param=appleCount)": {
"one": "I have one apple.",
"other": "I have multiple apples."
}
}
}
String a = t.someKey.apple(appleCount: 2); // notice 'appleCount' instead of 'n'
You can set the default parameter globally via pluralization
/default_parameter
.
β€ Custom Contexts / Enums #
You can utilize custom contexts to differentiate between male and female forms (or other enums).
// File: strings.i18n.json
{
"greet": {
"male": "Hello Mr $name",
"female": "Hello Ms $name"
}
}
# Config
contexts:
GenderContext:
enum:
- male
- female
UserType:
enum:
- user
- admin
String a = t.greet(name: 'Maria', context: GenderContext.female);
Auto detection is on by default. You can disable auto detection. This may speed up build time.
# Config
contexts:
GenderContext:
enum:
- male
- female
paths: # only these paths will be considered
- my.path.to.greet
In contrast to pluralization, you must provide all forms. Collapse it to save space.
{
"greet": {
"male,female": "Hello $name"
}
}
Similarly to plurals, the parameter name is context
by default. You can change that by adding a modifier.
{
"greet(param=gender)": {
"male": "Hello Mr",
"female": "Hello Ms"
}
}
String a = t.greet(gender: GenderContext.female); // notice 'gender' instead of 'context'
... or set it globally:
# Config
contexts:
UserType:
enum:
- user
- admin
default_parameter: type # by default: "context"
You already have an existing enum? Import it instead!
# Config
imports:
- 'package:my_package/path_to_enum.dart' # define where your enum is
contexts:
UserType:
enum:
- user
- admin
generate_enum: false # turn off enum generation
β€ Locale Stream #
You may want to track locale changes. Please use LocaleSettings.getLocaleStream
.
LocaleSettings.getLocaleStream().listen((event) {
print('locale changed: $event');
});
β€ Interfaces #
Often, multiple objects have the same attributes. You can create a common super class for that.
{
"onboarding": {
"whatsNew": {
"v2": {
"title": "New in 2.0",
"rows": [
"Add sync"
]
},
"v3": {
"title": "New in 3.0",
"rows": [
"New game modes",
"And a lot more!"
]
}
}
}
}
Here we know that all objects inside whatsNew
have the same attributes. Let's name these objects ChangeData
.
# Config
interfaces:
ChangeData: onboarding.whatsNew.*
The following mixin will be automatically generated for you:
mixin ChangeData {
String get title;
List<String> get rows;
}
Now you can access these fields using polymorphism:
// before: without interfaces
void myOldFunction(dynamic changes) {
String title = changes.title; // not type safe!
List<String> rows = changes.rows; // prone to typos
}
// after: using interfaces
void myFunction(ChangeData changes) {
String title = changes.title;
List<String> rows = changes.rows;
}
void main() {
myFunction(t.onboarding.whatsNew.v2);
myFunction(t.onboarding.whatsNew.v3);
}
You can customize the attributes and use different node selectors.
Checkout the full article.
β€ Locale Enum #
Typesafety is one of the main advantages of this library. No typos. Enjoy exhausted switch-cases!
// this enum is generated automatically for you
enum AppLocale {
en,
fr,
zhCn,
}
// extension methods
Locale locale = AppLocale.en.flutterLocale; // to native flutter locale
String tag = AppLocale.en.languageTag; // to string tag (e.g. en-US)
final t = AppLocale.en.translations; // get translations of one locale
β€ Translation Overrides #
You may want to update translations dynamically (e.g. via backend server over network).
Set the following configuration:
# Config
translation_overrides: true
Example:
// override
LocaleSettings.overrideTranslations(
locale: AppLocale.en,
fileType: FileType.yaml,
content: r'''
onboarding
title: 'Welcome {name}'
'''
);
// access
String a = t.onboarding.title(name: 'Tom'); // "Welcome Tom"
A few remarks:
- New translations will be parsed but have no effect.
- New parameters stay unparsed. (i.e.
{name}
stays{name}
) - Missing translations will use translations before the override.
- Overriding a second time reverts the last override.
β€ Dependency Injection #
You don't like the included LocaleSettings
solution?
Then you can use your own dependency injection solution!
Just create custom translation instances that don't depend on LocaleSettings
or any other side effects.
First, set the following configuration:
# Config
locale_handling: false # remove unused t variable, LocaleSettings, etc.
translation_class_visibility: public
Example using the riverpod
library:
final english = AppLocale.en.build(cardinalResolver: myEnResolver);
final german = AppLocale.de.build(cardinalResolver: myDeResolver);
final translationProvider = StateProvider<StringsEn>((ref) => german); // set it
// access the current instance
final t = ref.watch(translationProvider);
String a = t.welcome.title;
Checkout the full article.
Structuring Features #
β€ Namespaces #
You can split the translations into multiple files. Each file represents a namespace.
This feature is disabled by default for single-file usage. You must enable it.
# Config
namespaces: true # enable this feature
output_directory: lib/i18n # optional
output_file_name: translations.g.dart # set file name (mandatory)
Let's create two namespaces called widgets
and errorDialogs
. Please use camel case for multiple words.
<namespace>_<locale?>.<extension>
i18n/
βββ widgets.i18n.json
βββ widgets_fr.i18n.json
βββ errorDialogs.i18n.json <-- camel case for multiple words
βββ errorDialogs_fr.i18n.json
You can also use different folders. Only file name matters!
i18n/
βββ widgets/
βββ widgets.i18n.json
βββ widgets_fr.i18n.json
βββ errorDialogs/
βββ errorDialogs.i18n.json
βββ errorDialogs_fr.i18n.json
i18n/
βββ en/
βββ widgets.i18n.json
βββ errorDialogs.i18n.json
βββ fr/
βββ widgets_fr.i18n.json
βββ errorDialogs.i18n.json <-- directory locale will be used
Now access the translations:
// t.<namespace>.<path>
String a = t.widgets.welcomeCard.title;
String b = t.errorDialogs.login.wrongPassword;
β€ Output Format #
By default, a single .g.dart
file will be generated.
You can split this file into multiple ones to improve readability and IDE performance.
# Config
output_file_name: translations.g.dart
output_format: multiple_files # set this
This will generate the following files:
lib/
βββ i18n/
βββ translations.g.dart <-- main file
βββ translations_en.g.dart <-- translation classes
βββ translations_de.g.dart <-- translation classes
βββ ...
βββ translations_map.g.dart <-- translations stored in flat maps
You only need to import the main file!
β€ Compact CSV #
Normally, you would create a new csv file for each locale:
strings.i18n.csv
, strings_fr.i18n.csv
, etc.
You can also merge multiple locales into one single csv file! To do this, you need at least 3 columns. The first row contains the locale names. This library should detect that, so no configuration is needed.
Comments are supported. (see Comments)
,locale_0 ,locale_1 , ... ,locale_n
key_0,string_00,string_01, ... ,string_0n
key_1,string_10,string_11, ... ,string_1n
...
key_m,string_m0,string_m1, ... ,string_mn
Example:
key,en,de-DE
welcome.title,Welcome $name,Willkommen $name
welcome.button,Start,Start
assets/
βββ i18n/
βββ strings.i18n.csv <-- contains all locales
Other Features #
β€ Fallback #
By default, you must provide all translations for all locales. Otherwise, you cannot compile it.
In case of rapid development, you can turn off this feature. Missing translations will fallback to base locale.
# Config
base_locale: en
fallback_strategy: base_locale # add this
// English
{
"hello": "Hello",
"bye": "Bye"
}
// French
{
"hello": "Salut",
// "bye" is missing, fallback to English version
}
β€ Comments #
You can add comments in your translation files.
JSON
All keys starting with @
will be ignored.
If a @key
key matches an existing key, then its value will be rendered as a comment.
{
"@@locale": "en", // fully ignored
"mainScreen": {
"button": "Submit",
// ignored as translation but rendered as a comment
"@button": "The submit button shown at the bottom",
// ARB style is also possible, the description will be rendered as a comment
"@button2": {
"context": "HomePage",
"description": "The submit button shown at the bottom"
},
}
}
YAML
Currently, not parsed and no comments will be generated.
mainScreen:
button: Submit # The submit button shown at the bottom
CSV
Columns with parentheses like (my_column)
are ignored.
Values in the first column with parentheses will be rendered as a comment.
key,(comment),en,de,(ignored comment)
mainScreen.button,The submit button shown at the bottom,Submit,BestΓ€tigen,fully ignored
mainScreen.content,,Content,Inhalt,
Generated File
/// The submit button shown at the bottom
String get button => 'Submit';
β€ Recasing #
By default, no transformations will be applied.
You can change that by specifying key_case
, key_map_case
or param_case
.
Possible cases are: camel
, snake
and pascal
.
{
"must_be_camel_case": "The parameter is in {snakeCase}",
"my_map(map)": {
"this_should_be_in_pascal": "hi"
}
}
# Config
key_case: camel
key_map_case: pascal
param_case: snake
String a = t.mustBeCamelCase(snake_case: 'nice');
String b = t.myMap['ThisShouldBeInPascal'];
If you specify paths in the config, please case them correctly:
# Config
key_case: camel
maps:
- myMap # all paths must be cased accordingly
β€ Dart Only #
You can use this library without flutter.
# Config
flutter_integration: false # set this
Tools #
β€ Main Command #
The main command to generate dart files from translation resources.
flutter pub run slang
β€ Analyze Translations #
You can use the slang analyzer to find missing and unused translations.
Missing translations only occur when fallback_strategy: base_locale
is used.
flutter pub run slang analyze [--split] [--full] [--outdir=assets/i18n]
Argument | Usage |
---|---|
--split |
Generate for each locale |
--full |
Find unused translations in whole source code |
--outdir=<dir> |
Path of analysis output (input_directory by default) |
Result file:
{
"de": {
"mainScreen": {
"login": "This translation is missing, showing base translation here"
}
},
"fr": {} // everything ok
}
β€ Apply Translations #
The follow-up command for analyze
.
It reads the _missing_translations
file and adds the translations to the original files.
Currently, only JSON and YAML are supported.
flutter pub run slang apply [--locale=fr-FR] [--outdir=assets/i18n]
Argument | Usage |
---|---|
--locale=<locale> |
Apply only one specific locale |
--outdir=<dir> |
Path of analysis output (input_directory by default) |
β€ Migration #
There are some tools to make migration from other i18n solutions easier.
General migration syntax:
flutter pub run slang migrate <type> <source> <destination>
ARB
Transforms ARB files to compatible JSON format. All descriptions are retained.
flutter pub run slang migrate arb source.arb destination.json
ARB Input
{
"@@locale": "en_US",
"@@context": "HomePage",
"title_bar": "My Cool Home",
"@title_bar": {
"type": "text",
"context": "HomePage",
"description": "Page title."
},
"FOO_123": "Your pending cost is {COST}",
"foo456": "Hello {0}",
"pageHomeInboxCount" : "{count, plural, zero{You have no new messages} one{You have 1 new message} other{You have {count} new messages}}",
"@pageHomeInboxCount" : {
"placeholders": {
"count": {}
}
}
}
JSON Result
{
"@@locale": "en_US",
"@@context": "HomePage",
"title": {
"bar": "My Cool Home",
"@bar": "Page title."
},
"foo123": "Your pending cost is {cost}",
"foo456": "Hello {arg0}",
"page": {
"home": {
"inbox": {
"count(param=count)": {
"zero": "You have no new messages",
"one": "You have 1 new message",
"other": "You have {count} new messages"
}
}
}
}
}
β€ Statistics #
There is a command to quickly get the number of words, characters, etc.
flutter pub run slang stats
Example console output:
[en]
- 9 keys (including intermediate keys)
- 6 translations (leaves only)
- 15 words
- 82 characters (ex. [,.?!'ΒΏΒ‘])
β€ Auto Rebuild #
You can let the library rebuild automatically for you.
The watch function from build_runner
is NOT maintained.
flutter pub run slang watch
Integrations #
β€ slang x riverpod #
Method A: Use static getter
Access translation variable t
directly, use LocaleSettings.setLocale
to change locales.
Track locale changes with LocaleSettings.getLocaleStream()
:
final localeProvider = StreamProvider((ref) => LocaleSettings.getLocaleStream());
Method B: Use dependency injection
Checkout Dependency Injection.
FAQ #
Can I write the json files in the asset folder?
Yes. Specify input_directory
and output_directory
in build.yaml
.
targets:
$default:
sources:
- "custom-directory/**" # optional; only assets/* and lib/* are scanned by build_runner
builders:
slang_build_runner:
options:
input_directory: assets/i18n
output_directory: lib/i18n
... or in slang.yaml
:
input_directory: assets/i18n
output_directory: lib/i18n
CSV files are not parsed correctly
Note that translated EOL should be written as \n
.
CORRECT:
my.path,hello\nworld
WRONG:
my.path,hello<LF>
world
Can I skip translations or use them from base locale?
Yes. Please set fallback_strategy: base_locale
in build.yaml
.
Now you can leave out translations in secondary languages. Missing translations will fallback to base locale.
Can I prevent the timestamp Built on
from updating?
No, but you can disable the timestamp altogether. Set timestamp: false
in build.yaml
.
Why setLocale doesn't work?
In most cases, you forgot the setState
call.
A more elegant solution is to use TranslationProvider(child: MyApp())
and then get your translation variable with final t = Translations.of(context)
.
It will automatically trigger a rebuild on setLocale
for all affected widgets.
My plural resolver is not specified?
An exception is thrown by _missingPluralResolver
because you missed to add LocaleSettings.setPluralResolver
for the specific language.
See Pluralization.
How does plural / context detection work?
You can let the library detect plurals or contexts.
For plurals, it checks if any json node has zero
, one
, two
, few
, many
or other
as children.
As soon as an unknown item has been detected, then this json node is not a pluralization.
{
"fake": {
"one": "One apple",
"two": "Two apples",
"three": "Three apples" // unknown key word 'three', 'fake' is not a pluralization
}
}
For contexts, all enum values must exist.
How can I use multiple plurals in one sentence?
You may use linked translations to solve this problem.
{
"apples(param=appleCount)": {
"one": "one apple",
"other": "{appleCount} apples"
},
"bananas(param=bananaCount)": {
"one": "one banana",
"other": "{bananaCount} bananas"
},
"sentence": "I have @:apples and @:bananas"
}
String a = t.sentence(appleCount: 1, bananaCount: 2); // two different plural parameters!
What's the difference between AppLocale.en.translations
and AppLocale.en.build()
?
The plural resolvers of AppLocale.<locale>.translations
must be set via LocaleSettings.setPluralResolver
.
Therefore, calls on LocaleSettings
has side effects on AppLocale.<locale>.translations
.
When you call AppLocale.<locale>.build()
, there are no side effects.
Furthermore, the first method returns the instance managed by this library. The second one always returns a new instance.
Further Reading #
In Depth #
Tutorials #
Feel free to extend this list :)
License #
MIT License
Copyright (c) 2020-2022 Tien Do Nam
Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.