Using PHP Gettext Extension vs PHP Arrays in Multilingual Websites?

Question

So far the only 2 good things that I\'ve seen about using gettext instead of arrays is that I don\'t have to create the \"greeting\" \"sub-array\" (or whatever its called).

Answer 1

In my opinion it does not make too much sense to use a binary format (gettext's .mo files) for a dynamical language such as php.

However, a pro of gettext is the existence of a huge ecosystem of tools that translators of your software are able to use (e.g. Poedit). Downside is that you always have to compile your .po to .mo before you deploy it while you can just replace a php file containing an array on the fly.

Another con is, as you've already recognized, it is not available on all installations of php.