internationalizaatioon

Internationalization, often abbreviated as i18n, is the process of designing and developing a software product so that it can be easily adapted to various languages and regions without engineering changes. This means that the core code is structured to accommodate different cultural conventions, such as date and time formats, number formats, currencies, and character sets. The goal is to make the product globally accessible and user-friendly for a diverse audience.

Localization (l10n) is a subsequent step that takes an internationalized product and adapts it to a specific region or language by adding locale-specific components and translating text. While internationalization focuses on making software adaptable, localization focuses on the actual adaptation. For example, an internationalized application might have all its user interface strings stored in separate resource files, ready to be translated. Localization would then involve providing the translated strings for a specific language, like Spanish or Japanese.

The benefits of internationalization are significant for software intended for a global market. It reduces the cost and time required for localization, improves user experience by respecting local customs, and expands the potential market reach of the product. Effective internationalization involves careful planning during the software development lifecycle, ensuring that assumptions about language, culture, and locale are minimized. It's a crucial practice for any software aiming for international success.