# Module:Link utilities/i18n

> Wikimedia module

**Wikidata**: [Q104200158](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104200158)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/module-link-utilities-i18n

## Summary
Module:Link utilities/i18n is a Wikimedia module written in the Lua programming language, designed to handle internationalization (i18n) for link utilities. It is classified as free software, meaning it can be freely run, studied, changed, and distributed by users. The module is currently utilized across five Wikimedia sitelinks.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of:** Wikimedia module, Free software.
- **Programming Language:** Lua (a lightweight programming language created in 1993).
- **Current Version:** 2026.03.05.
- **Sitelink Count:** 5.
- **Source Reference:** Version data sourced from German Wikivoyage (`de.wikivoyage.org`).
- **Licensing:** Distributed under terms that allow users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it and modified versions.
- **Primary Function:** Provides internationalization (i18n) support for link utilities within the Wikimedia ecosystem.

## FAQs
### Q: What programming language is Module:Link utilities/i18n written in?
A: The module is written in Lua, a lightweight programming language that was originally created in 1993.

### Q: What is the specific function of this module?
A: It serves as an internationalization (i18n) component for link utilities, facilitating the translation and localization of link-related operations within Wikimedia projects.

### Q: Is Module:Link utilities/i18n free to use?
A: Yes, it is classified as free software. This means users have the freedom to run, study, change, and distribute the software and any modified versions of it.

### Q: How many Wikimedia sites currently use this module?
A: As of the latest available data, the module is used on 5 sitelinks.

## Why It Matters
Module:Link utilities/i18n plays a specific but essential role in the Wikimedia infrastructure by bridging the gap between code and language. In a global ecosystem like Wikimedia, where content is managed in hundreds of languages, "i18n" (internationalization) modules are critical; they separate the logic of a script from the text strings it displays, allowing editors to translate interface elements without altering the core code.

By providing a dedicated utility for link handling, this module ensures that hyperlinks, citations, or external references are formatted correctly according to the linguistic rules of different locales. This reduces technical debt and prevents fragmentation across different language versions of Wikimedia sites. Furthermore, its classification as free software aligns with the broader Wikimedia movement's ethos, empowering a global community of volunteer developers to inspect, debug, and improve the tools that power the knowledge base. Its active versioning (noted as 2026.03.05) indicates ongoing maintenance to ensure reliability for the 5 sitelinks that depend on it.

## Notable For
- **Internationalization Focus:** Specifically designed to manage multilingual support for link utilities.
- **Free Software Classification:** Explicitly defined as free software, guaranteeing user liberties regarding usage and modification.
- **Lua Implementation:** Built using Lua, the standard lightweight scripting language used for Wikimedia modules (Scribunto).
- **Active Maintenance:** Documents a specific version release (2026.03.05), indicating recent updates or maintenance activity.

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Module:Link utilities/i18n is a software module utilized within the Wikimedia ecosystem. It is constructed using **Lua**, a lightweight programming language originally inceptioned in **1993**. The module is designed to function as a sub-component or utility, specifically focusing on **internationalization (i18n)** processes for link handling.

### Classification and Licensing
The module is formally classified as an **instance of** both a "Wikimedia module" and "free software." As free software, it adheres to the definition of allowing users the liberty to freely run, study, change, and distribute the software and its modified versions. This ensures that the utility remains open and adaptable for community use across different projects.

### Version History and Deployment
According to structured data references, the module has a recorded version value of **2026.03.05**. This information is derived from the German Wikivoyage project (`de.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Modul:Link_utilities/i18n`).

Regarding its footprint within the Wikimedia network, the module has a **sitelink count of 5**. This metric indicates the number of specific Wikimedia project sites (such as specific language versions of Wikipedia, Wikivoyage, etc.) that have integrated or transcluded this module for operational use.