What are Mozilla Properties files and what do you need to consider before using them for translation?
File Extensions | .properties |
API Extension | mozilla_properties |
Import | Yes |
Export | Yes |
Pluralization supported? | No |
Descriptions supported? | Yes |
Mozilla Localization uses Properties files. Syntaxes and requirements for these properties are mostly identical with standard Java properties files. Therefore, a sanity check prior to translation is often considered a best practice. The sanity check may include removing duplicate keys (especially for larger files) and using correct line breaks (any line break in text strings should be preceded with a “\n”, otherwise it will be ignored by the parser).
Code Samples
boolean_key = --- true\n
empty_string_translation =
# This is the amazing description for this key!
key_with_description = Check it out\! This key has a description\! (At least in some formats)
key_with_line-break = This translations contains\na line-break.
nested.deeply.key = I'm a deeply nested key.
nested.key = This key is nested inside a namespace.
null_translation =
pluralized_key.one = Only one kitten found.
pluralized_key.other = Wow, you have %s kittens\!
pluralized_key.zero = You have no kitten.
sample_collection = ---\n- first item\n- second item\n- third item\n
simple_key = Simple key, simple message, so simple.
unverified_key = This translation is not yet verified and waits for it. (In some formats we also export this status)