The printf_gettext approach (GNU gettext utilities)

16.5.15.4 The printf_gettext approach ¶

This approach uses the printf_gettext and printf_ngettext programs, contained in the run-time package of GNU gettext 0.26 or newer.

Here’s an example that references a shell variable pid:

printf_gettext 'Running as process number %u.' $pid; echo

An example is available in the hello-3.sh file in the examples/hello-sh directory.

Advantages and Drawbacks ¶

Advantages:

• Portability: The only requirement is GNU gettext 0.26 or newer.
• Speed: Since no subshell needs to be created, this approach is about 30% faster than the two other approaches.

An example is available in the hello-3.sh file in the examples/hello-sh directory.