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Install gettext with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, scoop, winget, zypper

GNU internationalization (i18n) and localization (l10n) library. Version 1.0 via Homebrew; verified 2026-07-17. Also installable with debian: sudo apt install autopoint.

Install commandSecurity notes

install

Additional install commands

macOS

Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install gettext

local Homebrew formula metadata

MacPortsverified · 94%
sudo port install gettext

MacPorts ports tree · devel/gettext/Portfile · source: api.github.com

Linux

Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%
sudo apk add gettext

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · gettext · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org

Debian aptverified · 92%
sudo apt install gettext

Debian stable package indexes · gettext · source: deb.debian.org

Fedora dnfverified · 92%
sudo dnf install gettext

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · gettext · source: dl.fedoraproject.org

Nixverified · 92%
nix profile install nixpkgs#gettext

nixpkgs package indexes · gettext · source: raw.githubusercontent.com

Arch Linux pacmanverified · 92%
sudo pacman -S gettext

Arch Linux sync databases · gettext · source: geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com

openSUSE zypperverified · 92%
sudo zypper install gettext-runtime

openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · gettext-runtime · source: download.opensuse.org

Windows

Scoopverified · 92%
scoop install main/gettext

Scoop official bucket manifest trees · bucket/gettext.json · source: api.github.com

Windows Package Managerverified · 92%
winget install --id mlocati.GetText -e

Windows Package Manager source index · mlocati.GetText · source: cdn.winget.microsoft.com

overview

Package summary

GNU internationalization (i18n) and localization (l10n) library

Commands and aliases

  • autopoint
  • envsubst
  • gettext
  • gettext.sh
  • gettextize
  • msgattrib
  • msgcat
  • msgcmp
  • msgcomm
  • msgconv
  • msgen
  • msgexec
  • msgfilter
  • msgfmt
  • msggrep
  • msginit
  • msgmerge
  • msgpre
  • msgunfmt
  • msguniq
  • ngettext
  • po-fetch
  • printf_gettext
  • printf_ngettext
  • recode-sr-latin
  • spit
  • xgettext

history

Project history and usage

GNU gettext is the GNU internationalization and localization toolkit for message catalogs. It supplies runtime APIs, command-line tools, PO and MO file workflows, and maintainer and translator conventions used by many Unix-like software projects.

Project history

GNU's own history traces the work to 1994 internationalization experiments around GNU fileutils and the `glocale` effort. Ulrich Drepper rewrote the approach in April 1995, and the package went through names such as `msgutils` and `nlsutils` before `gettext` was accepted as the GNU package name.

The first official GNU gettext release, numbered 0.7, appeared in July 1995 and included PO mode. In 1997, GNU libc 2.0 included the `gettext`, `textdomain`, and `bindtextdomain` functions; in 2000, plural-form handling via `ngettext` entered GNU libc, and Bruno Haible took over GNU gettext maintenance.

Adoption history

gettext became central to GNU and Unix-like localization because it separates programming from translation: source strings are marked in code, `xgettext` extracts templates, translators edit PO files, `msgmerge` refreshes them across source changes, and `msgfmt` compiles machine-readable catalogs. Its workflow gave maintainers, translators, distributors, and users a shared file format and toolchain.

How it is used

Practitioners use gettext by marking translatable strings in program sources, initializing a text domain, extracting POT templates, maintaining language-specific PO files, compiling MO files, and installing catalogs under locale directories. Shell users and build systems also use utilities such as `gettext`, `ngettext`, `xgettext`, `msginit`, `msgmerge`, `msgfmt`, `msgattrib`, `msgcat`, and `envsubst`.

Why package nerds care

For package ecosystems, gettext is infrastructure rather than an optional convenience. Source distributions often carry POT and PO files, binary packages install compiled catalogs, and build recipes depend on tools such as `autopoint`, `gettextize`, `msgfmt`, and `xgettext` to keep translation workflows reproducible.

Timeline

  • 1994: GNU fileutils internationalization work led to broader GNU native-language-support experiments.
  • 1995: Ulrich Drepper wrote GNU gettext and the first official release, 0.7, appeared in July.
  • 1997: GNU libc 2.0 included gettext-related functions.
  • 2000: `ngettext` plural-form handling entered GNU libc and Bruno Haible took over GNU gettext maintenance.
  • 2001: GNU libc 2.2.x was released with full internationalization support according to the GNU gettext manual.

Related projects

  • GNU gettext is tied to GNU libc, the GNU Translation Project, PO mode, Autotools workflows, and localization tools that consume or convert PO files.

security posture

Risk level: green

library-like package without higher-risk signals.

Risk classifier

green risk · low confidence · appliance

Why

  • library-like package without higher-risk signals

Signals

  • metadata:library-like

Install behavior

  • No Homebrew bottle metadata was recorded.

Recommended review

Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.

executables

Installed executables

CommandKindExposureNote
autopointexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
envsubstexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
gettextexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
gettext.shexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
gettextizeexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
msgattribexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
msgcatexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
msgcmpexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
msgcommexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
msgconvexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
msgenexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
msgexecexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
msgfilterexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
msgfmtexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
msggrepexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
msginitexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
msgmergeexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
msgpreexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
msgunfmtexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
msguniqexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
ngettextexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
po-fetchexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
printf_gettextexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
printf_ngettextexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
recode-sr-latinexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
spitexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
xgettextexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.

freshness

Version and freshness

These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.

page generated2026-08-03
manager version1.0
manager updated2026-07-17
local dataunknown
upstreamnot available
latest detectednot detected
  • okNo freshness warnings were generated.

install metadata

Package metadata

Package keybrew:gettext
Version1.0
Package managerHomebrew
Homepagehttps://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/
Last updated2026-07-17T11:18:44-04:00
Pulseupdated
Bottlenot recorded
Servicenone declared

source database matches

Other package-manager records

Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.

Debian apt95%

autopoint 0.23.1-2

tool for setting up gettext infrastructure in a source package

https://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/

sudo apt install autopoint
  • Section: devel
  • Architecture: all
  • Source Package: gettext
  • 1 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Gettext
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: autopoint from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Debian apt95%

gettext 0.23.1-2

GNU Internationalization utilities

https://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/

sudo apt install gettext
  • Section: devel
  • Architecture: amd64
  • 8 dependencies
  • 8 optional deps
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Gettext
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: gettext from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Debian apt95%

gettext-base 0.23.1-2

GNU Internationalization utilities for the base system

https://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/

sudo apt install gettext-base
  • Section: utils
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: gettext
  • 1 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Gettext
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: gettext-base from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Debian apt95%

gettext-doc 0.23.1-2

Documentation for GNU gettext

https://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/

sudo apt install gettext-doc
  • Section: doc
  • Architecture: all
  • Source Package: gettext
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Gettext
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: gettext-doc from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Debian apt95%

gettext-el 0.23.1-2

Emacs mode for editing gettext .po files

https://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/

sudo apt install gettext-el
  • Section: lisp
  • Architecture: all
  • Source Package: gettext
  • 3 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Gettext
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: gettext-el from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Debian apt95%

libasprintf-dev 0.23.1-2

use fprintf and friends in C++ - static libraries and headers

https://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/

sudo apt install libasprintf-dev
  • Section: libdevel
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: gettext
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 optional deps
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Gettext
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: libasprintf-dev from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Debian apt95%

libasprintf0v5 0.23.1-2

use fprintf and friends in C++ - shared library

https://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/

sudo apt install libasprintf0v5
  • Section: libs
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: gettext
  • 2 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Gettext
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: libasprintf0v5 from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Debian apt95%

libgettextpo-dev 0.23.1-2

process PO files - static libraries and headers

https://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/

sudo apt install libgettextpo-dev
  • Section: libdevel
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: gettext
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 optional deps
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Gettext
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: libgettextpo-dev from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Debian apt95%

libgettextpo0 0.23.1-2

process PO files - shared library

https://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/

sudo apt install libgettextpo0
  • Section: libs
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: gettext
  • 2 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Gettext
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: libgettextpo0 from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Nix95%

gettext

nix profile install nixpkgs#gettext
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Gettext
nixpkgs package indexes · raw.githubusercontent.com · nixpkgs package indexes: gettext from https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/master/pkgs/top-level/all-packages.nix
Ubuntu apt95%

autopoint 0.21-14ubuntu2

tool for setting up gettext infrastructure in a source package

https://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/

sudo apt install autopoint
  • Section: devel
  • Architecture: all
  • Source Package: gettext
  • 1 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Gettext
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: autopoint from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/main/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
Ubuntu apt95%

gettext 0.21-14ubuntu2

GNU Internationalization utilities

https://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/

sudo apt install gettext
  • Section: devel
  • Architecture: amd64
  • 5 dependencies
  • 7 optional deps
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Gettext
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: gettext from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/main/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
Ubuntu apt95%

gettext-base 0.21-14ubuntu2

GNU Internationalization utilities for the base system

https://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/

sudo apt install gettext-base
  • Section: utils
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: gettext
  • 1 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Gettext
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: gettext-base from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/main/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
Ubuntu apt95%

gettext-doc 0.21-14ubuntu2

Documentation for GNU gettext

https://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/

sudo apt install gettext-doc
  • Section: doc
  • Architecture: all
  • Source Package: gettext
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Gettext
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: gettext-doc from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/main/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
Ubuntu apt95%

gettext-el 0.21-14ubuntu2

Emacs mode for editing gettext .po files

https://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/

sudo apt install gettext-el
  • Section: universe/lisp
  • Architecture: all
  • Source Package: gettext
  • 3 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Gettext
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: gettext-el from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
Ubuntu apt95%

libasprintf-dev 0.21-14ubuntu2

use fprintf and friends in C++ - static libraries and headers

https://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/

sudo apt install libasprintf-dev
  • Section: libdevel
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: gettext
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 optional deps
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Gettext
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: libasprintf-dev from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/main/binary-amd64/Packages.gz

package graph

Links come from deterministic package relationships, av.db category and tag curation, ecosystem matches, and package hub membership.

source trail

Generated from repository data

This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.

Used sources

  • Geiger risk classifier
  • cross-ecosystem install command graph
  • curated package history
  • external package-manager database matches
  • pkg.so package database
  • pkgdb category and tag curation