Question 1

How do I set up BartyCrouch in an Xcode build script?

Accepted Answer

Add a new run script phase in Xcode's Build Phases tab with commands like 'bartycrouch update -x' and 'bartycrouch lint -x', then move it before compiling sources. This ensures strings are updated automatically on each build, as detailed in the README's Build Script section.

Question 2

BartyCrouch vs Apple String Catalogs: which is better?

Accepted Answer

For new projects on Xcode 15 or later, String Catalogs are recommended because they're built-in, Apple-supported, and cover most BartyCrouch features except machine translation. BartyCrouch is useful if you need machine translation or are stuck on older Xcode versions, but the author advises migrating to String Catalogs and using TranslateKit for translation.

Question 3

Can BartyCrouch handle localization for SwiftUI apps?

Accepted Answer

BartyCrouch is optimized for UIKit/AppKit with Storyboards and code using NSLocalizedString. It doesn't directly extract strings from SwiftUI views, so you may need manual management or other tools for SwiftUI-specific localization, limiting its effectiveness in modern SwiftUI projects.

Question 4

How accurate is the machine translation in BartyCrouch?

Accepted Answer

It uses Microsoft Translator or DeepL APIs, which are decent for draft translations but can miss nuances and context. It's best for generating initial translations that should be reviewed by humans, especially for user-facing or critical text.

Question 5

What does it cost to use BartyCrouch's translation feature?

Accepted Answer

BartyCrouch itself is free, but machine translation requires subscription keys from Microsoft Translator or DeepL, which may have usage-based costs. You'll need to sign up for these services and manage API keys, adding potential expenses.

Question 6

How do I ignore certain strings so BartyCrouch doesn't update them?

Accepted Answer

Add '#bc-ignore!' in the comment of NSLocalizedString calls or in Interface Builder values. This tells BartyCrouch to skip those strings during updates, useful for programmatically set strings or those handled in .stringsdict files for pluralization.

Question 7

Is BartyCrouch still being actively developed?

Accepted Answer

The README states it's kept up-to-date only by volunteers, with the author focusing on TranslateKit. While it receives occasional updates, active development has slowed, so consider this for maintenance and future-proofing in long-term projects.

BartyCrouch

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