Java Internalization - Overview

Internalization

Internalization or I18N refers to the capability of an Application to be able to serve users in multiple and different languages. Java has in-built support for Internalization. Java also provides formatting of numbers, currencies and adjustment of date and time accordingly.

Java Internationalization helps to make a java application handle different languages, number formats, currencies, region specific time formatting.

Localization

Localization or L10N is the adaptability of an application that is how an application adapts itself with a specific language, number formats, date and time settings etc.

A java application should be internationalized in order to be able to localize itself.

Culturally Dependent Information

Following information items often varies with different time zones or cultures.

  • Messages

  • Date

  • Time

  • Number

  • Currency

  • Measurements

  • Phone Numbers

  • Postal Addresses

  • GUI labels

Internationalization Classes

Java has a set of built-in classes which help in internationalization of an application. These classes are following:

Sr.No.Class & Description
1

Locale

Represents a language along with country/region.

2

ResourceBundle

Contains localized text or objects.

3

NumberFormat

Use to format numbers/currencies as per the locale.

4

DecimalFormat

Use to format numbers as per customized format and as per locale.

5

DateFormat

Use to format dates as per locale.

6

SimpleDateFormat

Use to format dates as per customized format and as per locale.
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