What are the best practices for storing and retrieving language translations in PHP, using language files versus database queries?

When storing and retrieving language translations in PHP, it is generally best practice to use language files rather than database queries. Language files are faster to access and do not require a database connection, making them more efficient for translating text on a website. Additionally, language files are easier to manage and update, as they can be edited directly without needing to make changes to a database. 

// Example of storing language translations in a language file

// Define an array of language translations
$translations = [
    'hello' => 'Hello',
    'goodbye' => 'Goodbye',
    // Add more translations as needed
];

// Retrieve a translation by key
function translate($key) {
    global $translations;
    
    if (array_key_exists($key, $translations)) {
        return $translations[$key];
    } else {
        return $key; // Return the key itself if translation is not found
    }
}

// Usage example
echo translate('hello'); // Output: Hello

Keywords

PHP language translations language files database queries localization

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