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DEVELOPING INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE

Erin McCafferty

Computer Science / Software Engineering

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

mccaffertye@uwplatt.edu

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OUTLINE

Introduction Internationalization

Process Specification Team Organization

Localization Process Different levels User Interface

Conclusion

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INTRODUCTION

Global economy International Software Process is underestimated Common Terms

Internationalization (I18N) Localization (L10N) Globalization (G11N)

Much of the current focus is on user interfaces

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INTERNATIONALIZATION

Variants Mono-lingual Multi-localization Multi-lingualization

Major Goal: Decouple culture-dependent and culture-independent portions Generally user-interface is the culture-dependent

part

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INTERNATIONALIZATION PROCESS

Two timelines for beginning development After the domestic version is mostly complete or

complete Create the international product with several

language editions at the same time Recommended approach Microsoft develops Japanese and German editions

simultaneously

Goal is to minimize “release delta” (less than 30 days) Publicity Customers waiting and frustration

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INTERNATIONAL SPECIFICATION

Begin early Globalization Customizing features Designing a user interface Legal issues Accessibility of features Team Organization

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LOCALIZATION PROCESS

Internationalizing Source Code Pre-processing and preparation of Localization

Package Localization Merging Post-processing Quality Confirmation

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LEVELS OF LOCALIZATION

Deciding on the amount necessary Try marketing the

domestic product Ship quickly partial

translation Competitive markets

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LOCALIZING BEYOND THE USER INTERFACE

Currently: Focus on UI Changes Technology is rooted in culture

Some applications may need deeper changes Object Oriented Programming works well to

separate UI features from the core code Aspect Oriented Programming appears to work

better for deeper localization

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CONCLUSION

Internationalization is necessary for software to be competitive

The process is more complex than many developers realize

There are different levels of localization The current standards for internationalization

may need changes.

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REFERENCES International, Dr. (2002). Developing International Software.

Redmond, WA: Microsoft Press. Suodenjoki, M. (2001, October). Introduction to Internationalization

and Localization. Retrieved from http://www.suodenjoki.dk/us/productions/articles/localization.htm

Sun Microsystems (2001). Sun Software Product Internationalization Taxonomy. Retrieved from http://developers.sun.com/dev/gadc/des_dev/i18ntaxonomy/i18n_taxonomy.pdf

"Lingoport Releases Results of Industry-Wide Study on Software Localization and Internationalization Readiness." PR Newswire. 2007. Retrieved October 26, 2009 from accessmylibrary: http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-33305778_ITM

Kersten, Gregory E.; Mik Kersten,; Wojciech Rakowski,. "Software and culture: beyond the internationalization of the interface. (Research Note)." Journal of Global Information Management. 2002. Retrieved October 26, 2009 from accessmylibrary: http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-90925388/software-and-culture-beyond.html

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QUESTIONS?