Internationalisation
n.
chiefly British English spelling of internalization (q.v.). For spelling, see -ize.
programming
(i18n, globalisation, enabling, software enabling) The process and philosophy of making software portable to other locales.
For successful localisation, products must be technically and culturally neutral. Effective internationalisation reduces the time and resources required for localisation, improving time-to-market abroad and allowing simultaneous shipment. In orther words, internationalisation abstracts out local details, localisation specifies those details for a particular locale.
Technically this may include allowing double-byte character sets such as unicode or Japanese, local numbering, date and currency formats, and other local format conventions.
It also includes the separation of user interface text e.g. in dialog boxes and menus. All the text used by an application may be kept in a separate file or directory, so that it can be translated all at once. User interfaces may require more screen space for text in other languages.
The simplest form of internationalisation may be to make use of operating system calls that format time, date and currency values according to the operating system’s configuration.
The abbreviation i18n means “I – eighteen letters – N”.
(1999-06-28)
Read Also:
- Internationalism
[in-ter-nash-uh-nl-iz-uh m] /ˌɪn tərˈnæʃ ə nlˌɪz əm/ noun 1. the principle of cooperation among nations, for the promotion of their common good, sometimes as contrasted with nationalism, or devotion to the interests of a particular nation. 2. character, relations, cooperation, or control. 3. (initial capital letter) the principles or methods of a communist or socialist […]
- Internationalist
[in-ter-nash-uh-nl-ist] /ˌɪn tərˈnæʃ ə nl ɪst/ noun 1. an advocate of . 2. an expert in and relations. 3. (initial capital letter) a member or adherent of a communist or socialist International. /ˌɪntəˈnæʃənəlɪst/ noun 1. an advocate of internationalism 2. a person versed in international law 3. (capital) a member of an International
- Internationality
[in-ter-nash-uh-nl] /ˌɪn tərˈnæʃ ə nl/ adjective 1. between or among nations; involving two or more nations: international trade. 2. of or relating to two or more nations or their citizens: a matter of international concern. 3. pertaining to the relations between nations: international law. 4. having members or activities in several nations: an international organization. […]
- Internationalization
[in-ter-nash-uh-nl-ahyz] /ˌɪn tərˈnæʃ ə nlˌaɪz/ verb (used with object), internationalized, internationalizing. 1. to make , as in scope or character: a local conflict that was internationalized into a major war. 2. to place or bring under control. verb (used without object), internationalized, internationalizing. 3. to become : The automobile company must internationalize in order to […]
- Internationalize
[in-ter-nash-uh-nl-ahyz] /ˌɪn tərˈnæʃ ə nlˌaɪz/ verb (used with object), internationalized, internationalizing. 1. to make , as in scope or character: a local conflict that was internationalized into a major war. 2. to place or bring under control. verb (used without object), internationalized, internationalizing. 3. to become : The automobile company must internationalize in order to […]