Understanding Globalization and Localization Concept

Understanding Globalization: Globalization is process of identifying all the localizable resources in the application, that will support multiple cultures. Ideally it is perform during design phase of an application, so that the resources always remains separate from the code.

Understanding Localization: In Localization you customize the application for new locales. This consist of translating resources that you identified during the globalization phase.

Difference between Localization and Globalization: Globalization is process of identifying how many resources needs to be localized to adopt a multiple culture support, while Localization is actual process of translating resource to a specific culture.

Understanding concept with Example
Step1: Create a Web Project.

Step2: Design your form.
For this example : Take 4 label controls, 4 textbox controls and 1 drop-down list control.
Place the control on form as shown in figure.


Step3: Identifying Resources that needs to be localized (Globalization Phase).
We want the output as shown in figure:

So here Resource that needs localization are

Language Name Label
Long Date Label
currency Label
Amount Label


Now, Applying Localization to resources which needs to be localized and globalization phase. (Localization Phase begin).

Step5: Creating Resource File.
For this example i am creating resource file for French and German culture and other culture would get value from default resource file. Right click the Project in Solution Explorer and add a folder and name it. here i have named it to "MyLocalResources" you can name accordingly.

Now, Right click the Project in Solution Explorer and add a Resource File and add the content as shown in figure.

Creating Default Resource File "MyRes.resx"
(content of this resource file would be applied to resource in case resource content for language selected by user is not available.)


Creating French Resource File


Creating German Resource File


Step6: Adding code in .CS file to make it work

Adding Namespace
using System.Globalization;
using System.Threading;
using System.Resources;
using System.Reflection;

Filling Dropdown with set of languages for user-choice.
Code in Page Load Event.

if(!Page.IsPostBack)
{
//CultureInfo Class GetCultures gives collection of language.
foreach(CultureInfo ci in CultureInfo.GetCultures(CultureTypes.SpecificCultures))
{
//Filling the language collection into drop-downlistbox for user choice.
ddlLanguage.Items.Add(new ListItem(ci.EnglishName,ci.Name));
}
//Calling the Event when page loads for the first time.
ddlLanguage_SelectedIndexChanged(sender,e);
}

Assigning selected language value to current thread, to reflect changes.
private void ddlLanguage_SelectedIndexChanged(object sender, System.EventArgs e)
{
Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentUICulture = new CultureInfo(ddlLanguage.SelectedValue);
Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentCulture = new CultureInfo(ddlLanguage.SelectedValue);

//Applying Localization
ApplyLocalization();
ApplyUILocalization();
}

Code which requires localization value.
private void ApplyUILocalization()
{
ResourceManager rm = new ResourceManager("LocalizationPrac6.MyLocalResources.myRes",Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly(),null);
if(rm != null)
{
lblLanguageName.Text = rm.GetString("webform1.lblLanguageName");
lblLongDate.Text = rm.GetString("webform1.lblLongDate");
lblCurrency.Text = rm.GetString("webform1.lblCurrency");
lblAmount.Text = rm.GetString("webform1.lblAmount");
}
}

Code which does not requires localization.
private void ApplyLocalization()
{
//Lets Assume currency and amount to keep example simple.
double dblCurrency = 500.50;
double dblAmount = 9580000.75;

//No extra effort for localization as you see here.
txtLangName.Text = ddlLanguage.SelectedItem.Text;
txtLongDate.Text = DateTime.Now.ToLongDateString();
txtCurrency.Text = dblCurrency.ToString("c");
txtAmount.Text = dblAmount.ToString("n");
}


Now, run the application and select the different culture and based on selection you will get the localized display as shown in figure:

When associated resource file not available culture from Default Resource File would be shown.

Selecting French Culture

Selecting German Culture