IL10n

IL10n is a term used to describe the process of internationalization and localization in software development. Internationalization (i18n) is the design and development of a product, application, or component that enables it to be adapted to a wide range of languages and regions without engineering changes. Localization (l10n) is the process of adapting internationalized software for a specific region or language by translating text and providing culturally appropriate content.

The "10" in i18n and l10n represents the ten letters between the 'i' and the 'n' in internationalization and the 'l' and the 'n' in localization respectively. This shorthand is commonly used in the software industry to refer to these related processes.

Effective i18n and l10n are crucial for global software success. Internationalization focuses on building flexibility into the software's architecture, such as separating user interface text from code, using Unicode for character encoding, and designing date, time, and number formats that can accommodate different cultural conventions. Localization then takes this internationalized product and adapts it for specific markets. This includes translating all user-facing text, adapting images and graphics to be culturally relevant, and ensuring that the software adheres to local laws and regulations.

When done properly, internationalization and localization allow a single codebase to serve a global audience, reducing development costs and time-to-market for new regions. It ensures a positive user experience by presenting the software in a way that feels natural and familiar to users in their own language and cultural context.