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In computing, internationalization and localization (other correct spellings are
internationalisation and localisation) are means of adapting computer software
to different languages, regional differences and technical requirements of a tar
get market. Internationalization is the process of designing a software applicat
ion so that it can potentially be adapted to various languages and regions witho
ut engineering changes. Localization is the process of adapting internationalize
d software for a specific region or language by adding locale-specific component
s and translating text. Localization (which is potentially performed multiple ti
mes, for different locales) uses the infrastructure or flexibility provided by i
nternationalization (which is ideally performed only once, or as an integral par
t of ongoing development).
Contents [hide]
1 Naming
2 Scope
3 Business process for internationalizing software
4 Coding practice
5 Difficulties
6 Costs and benefits
7 See also
8 References
9 External links
Naming[edit]
The terms are frequently abbreviated to the numeronyms i18n (where 18 stands for
the number of letters between the first i and the last n in the word internation
alization, a usage coined at DEC in the 1970s or 80s)[1] and L10n for localization
markets that your product will foreseeably enter. Details such as field length f
or street addresses, unique format for the address, ability to make the zip code
field optional to address countries that do not have zip codes or the state fie
ld for countries that do not have states, plus the introduction of new registrat
ion flows that adhere to local laws are just some of the examples that make inte
rnationalization a complex project.[7][8]
A broader approach takes into account cultural factors regarding for example the
adaptation of the business process logic or the inclusion of individual cultura
l (behavioral) aspects.[9]
Coding practice[edit]
The current prevailing practice is for applications to place text in resource st
rings which are loaded during program execution as needed. These strings, stored
in resource files, are relatively easy to translate. Programs are often built t
o reference resource libraries depending on the selected locale data. One softwa
re library that aids this is gettext.
Thus to get an application to support multiple languages one would design the ap
plication to select the relevant language resource file at runtime. Resource fil
es are translated to the required languages. This method tends to be application
-specific and, at best, vendor-specific. The code required to manage date entry
verification and many other locale-sensitive data types also must support differ
ing locale requirements. Modern development systems and operating systems includ
e sophisticated libraries for international support of these types.
Difficulties[edit]
While translating existing text to other languages may seem easy, it is more dif
ficult to maintain the parallel versions of texts throughout the life of the pro
duct.[10] For instance, if a message displayed to the user is modified, all of t
he translated versions must be changed. This in turn results in a somewhat longe
r development cycle.
Many localization issues (e.g. writing direction, text sorting) require more pro
found changes in the software than text translation. For example, OpenOffice.org
achieves this with compilation switches.
To some degree (e.g. for Quality assurance), the development team needs someone
who understands foreign languages and cultures and has a technical background. I
n large societies with one dominant language/culture, it may be difficult to fin
d such a person.
One example of the pitfalls of localization is the attempt made by Microsoft to
keep some keyboard shortcuts significant in local languages. This has resulted i
n some (but not all) programs in the Italian version of Microsoft Office using "
CTRL + S" (sottolineato) as a replacement for "CTRL + U" (underline), rather tha
n the (almost) universal "Save" function.
Costs and benefits[edit]
In a commercial setting, the benefit from localization is access to more markets
. However, there are considerable costs involved, which go far beyond just engin
eering. First, software must generally be re-engineered to make it world-ready.
Then, providing a localization package for a given language is in itself a non-t
rivial undertaking, requiring specialized technical writers to construct a cultu
rally appropriate syntax for potentially complicated concepts, coupled with engi
neering resources to deploy and test the localization elements. Further, busines