Creating Multilingual Websites with PHP
Introduction
Before we start, let’s imagine you’ve decided to cook an exquisite dish for your friends. You found the perfect recipe, but alas! The instructions are in French, and you don’t understand the language!
That’s a lot like how your website users may feel if they encounter a language barrier. They come on your site, excited to browse your content, but unfortunately, they can’t understand a word. What do they do? Just like you did with that French recipe, they leave.
That’s why you don’t want to be that cook who couldn’t impress their friends. In the world of web development, we break down language barriers. How? By creating multilingual websites! And our magic tool to make this happen is PHP.
What are Multilingual Websites?
Multilingual websites offer content in more than one language. The users can select their preferred language, providing a personalized, convenient browsing experience. Such websites can be a complex task to build but fear not, my young Padawan! With PHP, we are going to turn this mountain into a molehill!
Why PHP for Multilingual Websites?
PHP, like that sweet grandma who loves baking cookies, is generous. It provides useful functions to simplify the process of creating multilingual websites. Its flexibility and dynamism have made it a favorite among web developers worldwide (Okay, maybe even around the universe, but we haven’t checked with Mars yet).
Creating a Multilingual Website – The Strategy
1. Language File Concept: Create a language file for each language you want to support on your website. This will work like a dictionary – your go-to book whenever you stumble upon an unfamiliar word.
2. PHP SuperGlobal Variable: Use $_GET SuperGlobal variable to capture the selected language.
Creating Language Files
Language files are PHP files wherein each word or phrase used in the website is translated into a specific language and stored in an array. Think about it like a talking dictionary for your website. Sounds cool, right?
The $_GET SuperGlobal
It’s time to call on the mighty $_GET SuperGlobal Variable! Pretty superhero-like for something called a variable, right? This hero can capture the selected language from your querying URL, telling your website which language it should display.
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In conclusion, learning to use PHP for developing multilingual websites is a game-changer. You give your users a site that speaks their language (literally!). Not to mention, you save yourself from looking like a confused cook with a French cookbook!
By the end of our journey, you’ll be more powerful than a wizard with a magical spell, impressing everyone with your multilingual website. Ready to begin this exciting journey? Then, fasten your seatbelts and get ready to soar high into the infinite universe of PHP!
Disclaimer: PHP knowledge gained from this article might make you appear cooler than you actually are. Proceed with caution!
