Internationalization vs. Localization: What Developers Need to Know

Internationalization (I18N): This is about setting the groundwork, ensuring that the application can be adapted to various languages and regions without the need to modify the code.

Localization (L10N): This is the actual process of adapting the application to specific languages and regions, including translating text, converting currencies, and making other locale-specific changes.

Below is a comparison between Internationalization and Localization in tabular format. These two terms are often related to adapting software applications to different languages, regions, and cultures.

|Feature|Internationalization (I18N)|Localization (L10N)| |---|---|---| |Definition|The process of designing and building an application to facilitate its adaptation to various languages and regions without changes to the code.|The process of adapting the internationalized application to a specific language or region by adding locale-specific components and translating text.| |Objective|To create a framework within the software that allows for easy adaptation to different languages and regions.|To tailor the internationalized application to meet the language, cultural, and other requirements of a specific target locale or market.| |Focus|General structure and coding practices to support multiple languages and regions.|Specific adaptations for a particular language, region, or culture, including translation, formatting, and legal requirements.| |Process|Performed during the design and development phase to prepare the software for potential localization.|Performed after internationalization, to customize the application for a specific locale.| |Example Components|Character encoding, date/time formats, number formats, sorting rules, etc.|Translation of text, images, and symbols; currency conversion; legal requirements; cultural adaptations, etc.| |Dependency|Independent of any specific region or language.|Depends on the internationalized application and targets specific regions or languages.|

Together, internationalization and localization enable software developers to create applications that can be easily adapted to meet the needs of global users.