I can't find how to change the IDE language from Arabic to English, it selected depending my system (Windows here), and i don't want Geany in Arabic IDE.
Also when changed to English it want to care about disabling "right to left" too.
In fact it is common problem with applications that uses GTK2, for example [Gimp](https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=679214)
You might be able to do it by setting the `LANG` environment variable to `en` before launching Geany. There are various ways you could do this in the shortcut or using a wrapper batch script.
One of the mentioned ways to set the LANG environment variable is described on https://www.geany.org/Documentation/FAQ#QQuestions11.
Not sure about the RTL issue. The mentioned bug in Gimp doesn't apply to Geany I think. You could try setting the `LANG`, `LC_ALL` and `LANGUAGE` environment variables, ideally one of them also affects the RTL settings.
For me it is easy to delete ar language folder, but for new (students or kids) who downloaded it from intenetn, it is not easy.
Geany is good start for students, but our language (Arabic) not quite good for starting programming, we all using English.
The best idea is to set language in Options/Preference, and Geany would ask about default language at first beginning (first run only).
Also, I want to distribute Geany as editor for students in school to teach lua language, but i want it supported by offical.
Thank you.
It is not just Windows, Setting default language using just system Linux/Windows, it is not good idea, Applications should not take language from then system (only for the first time for initial setting).
It is not just Windows, Setting default language using just system Linux/Windows, it is not good idea, Applications should not take language from then system (only for the first time for initial setting).
The best idea is to set language in Options/Preference, and Geany would ask about default language at first beginning (first run only).
Unfortunately applications doing their own thing is not the way the writers of the libraries Geany uses see it. They follow the defined ISO POSIX standards which use the system locale setting specified by environment variables. Using these is defined in the international standards for many of the libraries including for the C language itself. Changing them within the program may or may not work depending on how the libraries are written, and the Geany devs do not control that.
To run a program with a different locale from the system one the environment variables have to be set before running the program, but that requires the user to execute one or more commands in the command line. Those changes are not persistent between logins though and are not new user friendly. Also starting programs by commands at the command line may be normal for Linux, less so for windows and (IIUC) unusual for OSX.
So the Geany OSX maintainer has provided a script to set those environment variables up before running Geany itself, and the script can then be executed from the OSX GUI. But the script needs to know what language you want, but there is no user interaction available to the script, and it would be annoying to have to choose every time. So the script reads the language from a file, a method which is persistent. The file only needs to be set up once, so you can distribute it with Geany.
Also, I want to distribute Geany as editor for students in school to teach lua language, but i want it supported by offical.
Geany is a project run by volunteers who work on the parts they are interested in, just as the OSX support is contributed by someone who is interested in that. If somebody wishes to contribute specific support for easier student use then they may, but nobody can be forced to. Lua is already supported.
Thank you for responds, BTW can you mark it as Feature Request, to leave it to future maybe someone (included me) can add it?
For new users/students, I will distribute Geany setup without Ar folder, included Lua files too.
If you distribute Geany yourself with the Ar folder removed, you can also distribute the `geany_english.bat` file mentioned in the FAQs.
I understand your problem but still fully agree with @elextr that usually GUI applications should use the system default language.
Not sure if it off topic if I will continue, I always have this discusses with GTK2 applications (or let me say Linux based applications)
"GUI applications should use the system default language."
I Don't agree
My Windows (8.1 and same for Windows XP) is English, but Geany (and all other GTK2 applications based) use options in Windows that give it we are using Arabic language, and all force us to use Arabic interface while my windows interface is English.
Even If I have Windows Interface is Arabic, I have right to select English for some Applications, especial if it Developing/Programming Application, because
1 - RTL (Right To Left) confuses our eyes, you need to try it to feel the pain. 2 - English Interface more similar to most of programming language. 3 - Arabic language not really completed and it have too many dialects, some translators use his opinions in translating or local accent.
For batch file in Windows it will open console when running, or flicking it, I don't like it.
Thank you for marking it Enhancement.
I don't understand the problem: it defaults to use the system language (if it doesn't _this is a bug_ AFAICT), and allows the user to change the language by simply setting an environment variable [using the shortcut](https://netlicensing.io/blog/2012/06/15/set-environment-variables-in-windows...), [a batch script](https://netlicensing.io/blog/2012/06/15/set-environment-variables-in-windows...), or [any of the other ways](https://www.google.com/search?q=windows+set+environment+variable), including [not having it popup command prompt window](https://ss64.com/nt/start.html).
IMO, this issue should be closed, unless I misunderstood what it's asking for.
Would you please keep it open as "Enhancement", or close as "Rejected".
@zaher are you unable to change the language? From the title/description of the issue it sounds like you were looking for how to change the language in Geany. If the suggested method (setting the `LANG` environment variable) doesn't work, would you mind updating the description with more information such as any error messages you get (see `Help->Debug Messages`), as well as your Windows version, steps someone could use to reproduce the bug, and any other related information?
If there is a bug it will appear after adding selecting language for interface, I cant report it now. Yes there is a bug in most of GTK applications that have user defined language for interface after selecting English in RTL system, it will show RTL English interface,
For now we need this option (select language) to make it easy for new users/students.
This is already marked as an enhancement bt @eht16 so just needs "somebody" to do it.
Here is problem my laptop is Dell, it is in English Windows Setting by default in windows. when I installed it switched in Turkish interface just because I located in Turkey.... and no hacking my way with shortcuts and batchfile is not a solution now I have ugly icon on my desktop insisting it need administration rights now after that it is not working.... why the hack software think I need to speak Turkish without asking me ? so in that case; If you are a seasoned programmer temp in a university in Ukraine install Geany on English computer now I have to look at screen full with cyrillic alphabet... none of the arguments above make sense - if you installing a software that will ask you what language you want to use. period.
To all posters, your frustration is understood, but before anyone can do something about it somebody needs to provide a solution to HOW to do it. As I noted above, the programming language Geany uses is specified to use the environment variables to set language and other locale data. The methods proposed (script or commands) are the only methods known to set those variables before running Geany.
Well, I might be late to the party... Well, I just faced the very same question. Now with Geany at 1.36 release on Windows.
Here's a minimally invasive solution:
Change the installed **Geany Shortcut** to set the `LANG` variable to the desired AND __supported__ by your system's C API language.
Say, Geany is installed into `"D:\apps\Geany"`. You want to have it's UI in LANG=en (English)
- Find the Geany Shortcut (it's likely visible in your Windows Menu) - Select the Shortcut's Properties - In the Target field (where it's says `D:\apps\Geany\bin\geany.exe"), put:
cmd.exe /c "set ^"LANG=en^" & start /D ^"D:\apps\Geany\bin^" geany.exe"
- Take care to put the ^" (carrot-quote) as shown. This is the way to escape the quotes-within-the-quotes - Click on "Change Icon ..." and browse to the Geany installation folder, then to to the Geany exe file: "bin\geany.exe". Click on the "Magic Lamp" icon. - Accept the Property changes - If Windows requires, confirm as Administrator. In general, this could be also done on user-level without need for Admin rights. - DONE. - Test by launching the modified Geany shortcut
If preferred, this should be done on a copy of Geany shortcut, so that you'd have the default one and the alternative-language one. So you could as well make a new Geany shortcut from scratch and follow the steps above.
While this mat not the "perfect solution", this would not show the "Terminal" window. Indeed this could be scripted at installation, say providing an additional alternative-language shortcut, as all the needed details are available at the installation time.
@nomadbyte thank you for contributing a solution.
@nomadbyte you think this solution is good for kids or newbies students in a school, if they wants to install simple editors like geany?
@zaher well at least @nomadbyte has contributed a non-scripted way of doing it.
Nobody else even did that for several years. It was also suggested that it may be possible to script it on install, so I left the issue open for someone to contribute that if they wish.
Nobody else even did that for several years
Not on this issue, but [I contributed](https://github.com/geany/geany/issues/2453#issuecomment-600182183) almost the identical solution a while ago.
Just goes to show that bug tracker comments are a lousy place to hide documentation :)
Yep, this could be an entry in FAQ or Manual.
Something like "How to change Geany's UI language from OS default?". This would cover both Windows and Linux/Unix-like systems. BTW, in case of Linux the approach is similar: Set the language env variable prior to launching Geany (could be LANG, LANGUAGE). For example, under Ubuntu:
LANGUAGE=en geany
This could be added to launcher (.desktop) file `Exec` line too.
In general, indeed this _is_ a special case, since the whole UI aspect is usually driven by OS and meant to be transparent to user. It's just some Windows-targetting programs, especially free editors and tools, had this sort of UI language menu, thus setting up some user expectations about selectively changing language for a given program. Can one do this with MS Office or Visual Studio? .... Nope, not without some workarounds. Of course, Geany is not localized to the same extent, but the approach is the same.
By the way, I faced this question when trying to test my updates to Geany's Ukrainian localization on a system set to English locale, otherwise it had quite a few missing strings.
@zaher : This workaround is probably the easiest to do (as described above). Especially so to students who want to learn some coding. This could be an "extra credit" kind too, but too easy really :)
@nomadbyte this could go into the FAQ at https://github.com/geany/www.geany.org/blob/master/page_content/documentatio... if you like, just PR (probably replace the existing item). Alternatively, you could also put your instructions into the wiki at https://wiki.geany.org.
After seeing all the trouble to set the interface language I decided to uninstall Geany soon after installing it.
https://github.com/geany/geany/issues/2545
This is an issue on Windows
@pgram1 the OP already says windows and the issue has the windows label, please don't just make noise by repeating existing information.
@pgram1 the OP already says windows and the issue has the windows label, please don't just make noise by repeating existing information.
To be quite frank, I have to admire that such an extensive open source project resorts to patronizing shortcut hackery to resolve language picking, when the issue has already been reported 2 years now and affects all foreign locale Windows installations (most commonly found in beginner environments).
Also mentioning the context menu issue here to keep it linked with the very relevant need for this issue to be addressed. I don't consider UX noise at all.
@pgram1 did you read the comment [above](https://github.com/geany/geany/issues/1757#issuecomment-362868750) and also [this](https://github.com/geany/geany/issues/1757#issuecomment-426463375) one.
If you have a solution that does not involve environment variables please contribute it, but please don't just keep demanding "somebody" does it for you.
@pgram1 did you read the comment [above](https://github.com/geany/geany/issues/1757#issuecomment-362868750) and also [this](https://github.com/geany/geany/issues/1757#issuecomment-426463375) one.
If you have a solution that does not involve environment variables please contribute it, but please don't just keep demanding "somebody" does it for you.
As per https://github.com/geany/geany/issues/1757#issuecomment-362858124, I created a bat script that batch renames locale folders, as Geany seems to fallback to LANG=en if it finds no locale directories.
```bat
@Echo Off
REM Run script with Administrator privileges
REM Put the locale path here (typically "C:\Program Files (x86)\Geany\share\locale") CD "C:\Program Files (x86)\Geany\share\locale"
REM This renames all locale folders except special stylings to foo-unused FOR /D %%G in ("*") DO if not %%~nxG==en@boldquot if not %%~nxG==en@quot if not %%~nxG==en@shaw Ren %%~nxG %%~nxG-unused Echo Locales are disabled. PAUSE
```
Quite hacky but I guess it works...
Geany seems to fallback to LANG=en
Technically its not, but effectively it is.
The libraries Geany uses (the C library at the lowest level) default to `LC_ALL=C` because this is what is specified in the C language standard. If locale info is missing when it is set to the environment (because you renamed the files), it likely remains at the `C` locale.
The standard specifies what the facets for `C` should be, and IIUC that says there should be no translation of messages. And since Geany messages and the UI are written in some version(s) of the English language, it is likely similar to `LANG=en`.
But YMMV for other facets.
Quite hacky but I guess it works...
... and so its probably not really suitable for inclusion in the installer, but you could add it to the wiki or PR the FAQ.
https://github.com/geany/geany/commit/22c3dd033b9fe123cfb96004ce3a6c44230f29...
https://github.com/geany/geany/blob/master/src/libmain.c#L473
https://github.com/geany/geany/blob/master/src/libmain.c#L984
As per [here(c_function_setlocale)](https://www.tutorialspoint.com/c_standard_library/c_function_setlocale.htm),
If locale is NULL or the empty string "", the locale names will be set from the values of environment variables with the same names as the above categories.
Therefore I am leaving this here for future reference, for anyone wanting to include an option in the installer, by setting `null` and `""` to one of the actual existing translation locales, or fallback to no translation, for the sake of familiarity.
Windows users, at least, do not have it easy with environment variables and it was not necessarily anyone's true option to use that operating system in a non-personal environment like work or school, where administration is also sparse.
And to add to that, local administrators will distribute the software with the default option, that most certainly picks a translation locale, an unwanted effect when the option of language is unclear overal and the software is suited to programming (a task mainly done in English). This leads to more frustration and uninstallations for no reason, as this software is on the very good side past the language issue.
Sadly, I do not have the knowledge, on a technical level, to PR for this right now.
@elextr Should I open this as a new issue, as a request?
Should I open this as a new issue, as a request?
No, don't split the discussion, as I said [here](https://github.com/geany/geany/issues/1757#issuecomment-619456223) this issue is still open as the solutions so far have been more in the form of workarounds than complete solutions.
Just as a note - in case people didn't notice the option - if you want it to use English instead of your system's locale, you can deselect the "Language Files" (aka translations) option when running the installer:
<img width="399" alt="geany_lang_inst" src="https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/181177/87252231-337f3f00-c426-11ea-93fa-621de12ed611.PNG">
Just as a note - in case people didn't notice the option - if you want it to use English instead of your system's locale, you can deselect the "Language Files" (aka translations) option when running the installer:
<img alt="geany_lang_inst" width="399" src="https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/181177/87252231-337f3f00-c426-11ea-93fa-621de12ed611.PNG">
Thank you! This is indeed a solution that needs clearer documentation, but totally effective
And to add to that, local administrators will distribute the software with the default option, that most certainly picks a translation locale, an unwanted effect when the option of language is unclear overal and the software is suited to programming (a task mainly done in English).
At this point I'm not sure which problem we're solving? Seems like it's now more about _"On Windows, let a user have Geany UI in English, instead in local LANG"_.
Indeed, if the user has permissions to install, then not installing the language files will do that. However, such user is free to administer the installed Geany in any way wanted, shortcut fix, environment etc. On the other hand, if it's a multiuser installation (the end-user has no admin permissions), then this blanketly forces all users into non-local UI.
I think, the middle ground for such rehashed issue could be to auto-generate (on Windows) an __additional__ shortcut specifically for English UI. That shortcut will have all the needed "secret-sauce" as described in FAQ. Basically, we're talking about updating the Geany Windows installer, perhaps adding another option on Windows, or detecting non-English locale and auto-generating the additional shortcut.
Let me explaint the real point again.
for Geany is simple editor not like Atom, VSCODE etcm Works fine in Windows and Linux That make it good for newbie and students or noob to start programming <- if you want to target this kind of user, u need to make it more simple.
As Arabic developers, me included, we do not use Arabic IDE for programming languages, it is confuse us, no one, and no one use Arabic IDE for any language.
Another point
So for Arabic users it is preferred to make it English even in Arabic System, Linux too. And there is a bug in all gtk2 based (as i know) that use Locale in windows even English Windows interface, my Windows is English, but we set default Locale for Ansi , most gtk2 app use it as the locale of system, idk why, it is kind of bug. We reported to other project like Inkscape, Gimp, and they fixed it as I remember.
And to add to that, local administrators will distribute the software with the default option, that most certainly picks a translation locale, an unwanted effect when the option of language is unclear overal and the software is suited to programming (a task mainly done in English).
At this point I'm not sure which problem we're solving? Seems like it's now more about _"On Windows, let a user have Geany UI in English, instead of local LANG"_.
Indeed, if the user has permissions to install, then not installing the language files will do that. However, such user is free to administer the installed Geany in any way wanted, shortcut fix, environment etc. On the other hand, if it's a multiuser installation (the end-user has no admin permissions), then this blanketly forces all users into non-local UI.
I think, the middle ground for such rehashed issue could be to auto-generate (on Windows) an **additional** shortcut specifically for English UI. That shortcut will have all the needed "secret-sauce" as described in FAQ. Basically, we're talking about updating the Geany Windows installer, perhaps adding another option on Windows, or [detecting non-English(en)](https://nsis.sourceforge.io/Detect_User_Locale_Information_(Language,_Countr....)) locale and auto-generating the additional shortcut.
Precisely. As mentioned before, this software is highly suitable for software development and its simplicity greatly aids beginners. Software development is primarily passed on to beginners in English, due to the widespread availability of online knowledge in that language. The fact that this software defaults to the locale of the system it is installed on, without making it apparent during the installation, nor providing an interface to change that after the matter, makes it at least challenging for beginners and as mentioned in https://github.com/geany/geany/issues/1757#issuecomment-650785191, gets them to abandon it early on for no other particular reason. The software is great for what it is aimed towards but the language choice issue effectively hinders that for international audiences.
A saner default would indeed be to make the solution -whichever that might be- apparent to a first time installing user, who might not even be familiar enough with open source development and where to seek their answers, by looking at the project's issues on Github or its FAQ online.
I was surprised there was no language choice menu from within the software.
My main issue was that of the right click windows menu option not even being mentioned in the FAQ or the Github issues, which led me to join the conversation here. It just opens the software on the default system locale and I could not manage to edit my registry to have the shortcut trick/solution in the context menu as well.
https://github.com/geany/geany/issues/1757#issuecomment-657250083 shed some light into what I was looking for since the very beginning and just didn't notice during installation, that's why I proceeded to make the PR for stating it in the FAQ.
@zaher The Geany project targets are on the website, to paraphrase "fast and light", characteristics of the application, not the users. Geany is a volunteer project, its not a corporate "targeting" a specific customer base, except being an IDE they are assumed to be developers of some sort. It is not specifically targeted at beginners, super experts or any other single user group.
To everybody, despite espoused project targets, being a volunteer project, Geany is whatever its contributors make it, so if you want to add features that make it simple for beginners, you can contribute them. Since such features are not there already it likely means existing contributors do not value them highly enough to spend their own time on them, but if you do, contribute it or it won't happen.
Similarly, it happens that only a few contributors use Geany on Windows, they have contributed the parts that they need, but again, apparently they don't need "simple for beginners to set up in any language" enough to spend their time on it. If someone wants to upgrade the Windows installer to allow selection of the language the shortcut uses, they can contribute it.
most gtk2 app use it as the locale of system, idk why, it is kind of bug.
@zaher its not a bug, its what the International Standards Organisation (ISO) standard says C language programs should do.
I would suggest that it does that because the locale affects things at a very low level in the C library, so it has to be set by something very early in the program, even before the command line arguments are read (since they are encoded in the locale of the terminal) and the environment is the only thing available and portable to all platforms.
Perhaps a windows user might wish to look at the solution the contributor of the Geany OSX build used (IIUC starting Geany from a script that sets the environment based on a file setting) and could contribute a Windows version of that and change the shortcut to run the script, not the executable directly.
I think, the middle ground for such rehashed issue could be to auto-generate (on Windows) an additional shortcut specifically for English UI...
Seems reasonable, but it would be kind of annoying to install duplicate shortcuts by default for everyone... two in the desktop, two in the program menu, two in the context menus. I assume the majority of users would want to use the GUI in their native language, except those using Hebrew, Arabic, and other languages that aren't well supported or often used for programs like IDEs, so those users would probably never use the English shortcut. If the installer just created a second English shortcut in the "Program Files" directory, it wouldn't be a problem.
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