[GRASS-dev] C syntax and the use of underscore ('_')

[Markus Neteler]

On Sun, Aug 2, 2015 at 6:42 PM, Rob Parsons <jrobparsons at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> In r.univar_main.c, there are a number of string assignments similar to
> this:
>
>
> param.percentile->description =
>     _("Percentile to calculate (requires extended statistics flag)");
>
>
> I am not familiar with the '_' syntax as it is being used here before the
> opening '('.

These are the gettext macros used for the indication of strings (user
messages) to be translated.
Background info:
http://grass.osgeo.org/development/translations/
and especially
http://grasswiki.osgeo.org/wiki/GRASS_messages_translation

I have added some more hints now here:
http://grasswiki.osgeo.org/wiki/GRASS_messages_translation#Updating_messages_in_the_source_code

> The Eclipse editor complains about syntax.
>
> Anyone know what is happening here?

I suppose that the Eclipse editor needs to be configured properly for
that (no idea how since I am not familiar with it). Perhaps others
know here?

In any case, the macro need to remain.

best,
Markus