Adding basic explanation on i18n and section TODOs

- what's i18n, l10n and pluralization forms for
- common methods of implementation
- added the rest of the sub-sections, with TODOs

_posts/05-06-01-Internationalization-and-Localization.md

@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+---
+title:   Internationalization and Localization
+isChild: true
+anchor:  i18n_l10n
+---
+
+## Internationalization (i18n) and Localization (l10n) {#i18n_l10n_title}
+
+_Disclaimer for newcomers: i18n and l10n are numeronyms, a kind of abbreviation where numbers are used to shorten
+words - in our case, internationalization becomes i18n and localization, l10n._
+
+First of all, we need to define those two similar concepts and other related things:
+
+- **Internationalization** is when you organize your code so it can be adapted to different languages or regions
+without refactors. This is usually done once - preferably, in the beginning of the project, or else you'll probably
+need some huge changes in the source!
+- **Localization** happens when you adapt the interface (mainly) by translating contents, based on the i18n work done
+before. It usually us done every time a new language or region needs support, and is updated when new interface pieces
+are added, as they need to be available in all supported languages.
+- **Pluralization** defines the rules needed between different languages to interoperate strings containing numbers and 
+counters. For instance, in English when you have only one item, it's singular, and anything different from that is 
+called plural; plural is this language is indicated by adding an S after some words, and sometimes changes parts of it.
+In other languages such as Russian or Serbian there are two plural forms plus the singular one - you may even find
+languages with a total of four, five or six forms, such as Slovenian, Irish or Arabic.
+
+## Common ways to implement
+
+The easiest way to internationalize PHP software is by using array files and using those strings in templates, such as
+`<h1><?=$TRANS['title_about_page']?></h1>`. This is, however, hardly a recommended way for serious projects, as it poses
+some maintenance issues along the road - some might appear in the very beginning, such as pluralization. So, please,
+don't try this if your project will contain more than a couple of pages.
+
+Some frameworks will sport their own i18n packages. Those usually are a more powerful version of the above approach,
+but including features needed for real localization, such as plural forms and string replacement. You're free to use
+those if you feel like, but you might find bothering to edit array source files, having to deal with pure code issues
+(such as string scaping and so on). The main pro here is integration with the environment you're using - the framework
+is called _full-stack_ for a reason, right?
+
+However, the most classic way and often taken as reference for i18n and l10n is a [UNIX tool called `gettext`][gettext].
+It dates back to 1995 and is still the most complete implementation for translating software. It is pretty easy to get
+running, while it still sports powerful supporting tools. It's about Gettext we will be talking here. Also, to help you
+not get messy over the command-line, we will be presenting a great GUI application that can be used to easily update
+your l10n source files.
+
+### Discussion on l10n keys
+TODO: talk about static keys versus text keys, as in https://lingohub.com/blog/2013/07/php-internationalization-with-gettext-tutorial/#What_form_of_msgids_should_be_used
+
+## Gettext
+
+### Installation
+TODO: You might need to install Gettext and the related PHP library by using your package manager, like `apt-get` or `yum`.
+
+### Structure
+TODO: Talk about POT/PO/MO files and Poedit. Explain details about plural forms, directory structures and domains.
+
+### Sample implementation
+TODO: Add sample code implementing i18n using gettext.
+
+### Everyday usage
+TODO: Explain what's the l10n routine for a project with existing i18n in place, using Poedit (and maybe command line as seen
+in the LingoHub file).
+
+#### Tips & Tricks
+TODO: Talk about possible issue with caching.
+TODO: Suggest creation of helper functions.
+
+### References
+
+* [Wikipedia: i18n and l10n](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internationalization_and_localization)
+* [Wikipedia: Gettext](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gettext)
+* [LingoHub: PHP internationalization with gettext tutorial](https://lingohub.com/blog/2013/07/php-internationalization-with-gettext-tutorial/)
+* [PHP Manual: Gettext](http://br2.php.net/manual/en/book.gettext.php)
+
+
+[gettext]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gettext