The lupdate program scans your source code and produces or updates your .ts file. The TS file is a readable XML format.

The lrelease program is used to create run time translation files for use by your application. The .qm file is created from your .ts file. The QM file is a compact binary format.

Program	Description
lupdate	Scans your source files to produce a .ts file
lrelease	Compiles .ts file into a .qm file
lconvert	Convert .ts to .qph file, usable for multiple applications