Looking forward to creating a multi-lingual website based on Codeigniter framework development?
But do not have much idea as to what constitutes under the development process.
Then you have come to the right place here.
Developing a multi-lingual Codeigniter website based on the Codeigniter PHP framework requires several things. Just like localization features, translation languages files, and more.
In this blog, we will be taking you to a few steps for developing a multi-lingual website in two parts.
This one here is part 1 followed by part 2 of the blog in a short while.
So, without any further adieu, let’s get started on the same.
Follow the Steps to Create a Multi-Lingual Codeigniter Based Website
1. Codeigniter’s Language Files
The very first step towards creating a multi-lingual Codeigniter 4 website is to copy all the language files. Such files contain the respective framework messages and other information that must be displayed to validate a form.
To get Codeigniter languages, you have to go to GitHub and get the project codeignite4/translations. After that, you need to copy the directories of the languages that you will be needing in the app/languages directory.
Take this as an example, for translating your site into different languages like English, French, Spanish, German, and Japanese, you will be needing a copy of de, es, fr and ja directories.
2. Language Files of the Application
For creating a multi-language website, you need to translate the application by using more than one file for each language. It is because one file translates the application and the other one supports the same.
For example, create a Blog.php file in the directory of each of the five mentioned languages above. For this, you need a translation application as well to translate the app into multilingual capabilities.
3. Do the Language Configuration
It is essential for the website to detect a particular choice of language and automatically translate the form after enabled by users. For this, you need to define the language in the application configuration section. It should be supported by the $supportedLocales parameter to true.
If in some cases, the visitor’s language is not supported, in that case, you have to display the site in the language defined in $defaultLocale.
4. Follow the Routes
As per the strategic routes, while indulged in multi-lingual Codeigniter web development, you have to do the language selection via URL. In case, / is accessed and $defaultLocale is set to be true, then Codeigniter will determine the visitor’s language.
If it is false, then the default language is selected. If / es is accessed, then Spanish is selected and accordingly goes for other languages.
Now, to take advantage of this feature, you need to add {locale} to the routes. Also, note the fact that / route must be defined. If not doing the same, then you will get a 404 error.
Additional Steps
1. Add Language Column to Tables: Add a new column to add specific language codes. Make sure to varchar with two characters because every language has a shortcode with having two characters.
2. Define the Language in Route File: For this, you need to add this line application/routes.php to tell the routeing system when someone clicks at URL ended with a character like Website.com/fr.
3. Add Lang_Switcher Function to Parent Class: For a multi-lingual Codeigniter website, you need to create a main class inherit from usually name like my_parent.php and put the same into the core path like this core/my_parent.php. And, that too in the class put lang_switcher function that handles switches between languages.
4. Define Languages to Admin: It is essential that the language should have the capacity to handle SQL based queries. To enable the same, you need to first put additional input with Create and edit form. Also, you need to distinguish and filter articles by language to put an additional column in your admin list table.
5. Add Language Drop Down Menu: Simply add different languages at the front part of the website and enable users to select the desired one.
6. Build SQL Queries Based on Lang Session: Visitors come to your website, click the language URL and the route will detect the language. After that, it returns the front page lang_switcher function that will catch the shortcode and set the current language to lang session.
Done with the First Part
Till here, you will come to know of the initial steps of creating a multi-lingual website in Codeigniter 4. Now, wait for the second and the last part of the important information to create your site accordingly.
For more information and to hire Codeigniter developer, do get in touch with Codeigniter India.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is the Latest Version of Codeigniter?
Codeigniter 4 is the latest version of the PHP framework that has a small footprint in the development ecosystem. It is used with PHP 7.3+ also 8.0 as well.
2. How Do you Get Started with Multi-Lingual Codeigniter Web Development?
For developing a multi-lingual website based on Codeigniter 4, we follow a strategic process in which all your requirements are considered. We also know from your side what sort of languages to be added to the website. And, accordingly, develop the same.
3. Can I Use Codeigniter for Large Applications?
Yes, you can use the same. It is an ideal framework for large apps that perform fast, seamlessly, and flawlessly for a long. Since it is a PHP-based framework, so it has an MVC structure for creating a feature-rich website.