L10n:B2G/Langpacks

Language packages for Firefox OS allow users to extend the language coverage on their device without the need of re-flashing the entire system.

Background

• Specification: https://github.com/stasm/spec/blob/master/webapp-langpacks.markdown

In 2.2 Langpacks will be distributed via a special page on the Marketplace. They will submitted to the Marketplace by the L10n team and will be automatically signed. Langpacks are unprivileged apps.

Implementation

• Tracking bug: bug 1107341
  • Gecko: bug 1108096
  • L10n.js: bug 1115796
  • Gaia UI: bug 1107346
  • Marketplace: bug 1105530

Testing using Marketplace Stage

1. Flash a mozilla-central or mozilla-b2g37_v2_2 Engineering build from pvt
   • https://github.com/Mozilla-TWQA/B2G-flash-tool
2. Check out the master or v2.2 branch in your Gaia clone
3. curl http://informationisart.com/langpacks/testing.patch | git apply
   • Enables "Use Marketplace reviewer certs"
   • Changes the names of the Marketplace apps
4. make reset-gaia
5. Connect to the Internet on the device
6. Open Settings > Language > Get More Languages
7. Choose Marketplace Stage
8. Install a langpack
9. Go back to Settings and choose the newly installed language

Testing using the get-more-languages app

For testing custom-built langpacks, it's best to use the get-more-languages app deployed to your server preferably under its own subdomain. An example instance can be seen at http://get-more-languages.informationisart.com/ (or shorter: http://bit.ly/langpacks).

On your server:

1. Deploy get-more-languages under its own domain.
2. Edit langpacks/*/*.webapp and change package_path to match your domain.

On your computer:

1. Clone Gaia master or v2.2
2. echo 'user_pref("dom.apps.allow_unsigned_langpacks", true);' >> build/config/custom-prefs.js
3. make production

On your device:

1. Connect to the Internet on the device
2. Navigate to your instance of get-more-languages
3. Either install langpacks directly from the webpage, or…
4. Tap "(Install this app)"
5. Open Settings > Language > Get More Languages
6. Choose Get More Languages to handle the activity

Code & Examples

• example mini-manifest
• example langpack
• getAdditonalLanguages call in l10n.js
• getLocalizationResource call in l10n.js

See also

• Marketplace/LangPacks