Posted by dickgiesser on 11/16/05 23:00

Hi,

I want to translate my php(5) page into various languages and plan on
using xml language files for this.

I'm struggling with the decision of having multiple language files or
just one big one.

I came up with this:

Advantages for a single Language file:
Faster to translate
No need for versioning, if you want add a string just add it at the
end. Old strings stay the same
Faster to get to the string as there is only one file
Avoid having multiple times the same string in various xml's e.g. yes
no
One id = one string, less confusing

Disadvantages
can php easily handle huge xml files?
Make versioning of module difficult as a change in language file would
affect all modules
Loading the entire dictionary for all basecode modules for each request
seems a little wasteful
Use a central dictionary of common words?
Finding a string would be just as easy because you would know the
module, group and the id

What do you guys think is the better solution?

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