C++ Programming/Software Internationalization

Software Internationalization

Internationalization and localization refer to how computer software is adapted for other locations, nations or cultures. This means specifically those that are non-native to the programmer(s) or the primary user group

In specific, internationalization deals with the process of designing a software application in a way that it can be configured or adapted to work with various languages and regions without heavy changes to the code base. On the other hand localization deals with the process of enabling the configuration or auto adaptation of the software to a specific region, timezone or language by adding locale-specific components and text translation.

Software developers must understand the intricacies of internationalization since they write the actual underlying code. How well they use established services to achieve mission objectives determines the overall success of the project. At a fundamental level, code and feature design affect how a product is translated and customized. Therefore, software developers need to understand key localization concepts.