By: Tanya K

Globalization testing includes Localization and Internationalization testing. I will be explaining the differences between these two types of testing.
 
Localization is the translation of the users’ interface, any documentation and related software files from one language to another. Localization testing is commonly seen as the abbreviation «L10N». For L10N, we usually create checklists instead of test cases.
 
Internationalization is the process of designing a software application that can be adapted to various languages and regions formats. Internationalization testing is abbreviated using «I18N».
For this type of testing, we can create any type of test documentation: checklists, test outlines, test cases. It depends on both the application and time schedule.
 
Localization can be added when the application is almost finished. But Internationalization should be taken into account when the application is starting to be designed. L10N is based on the language. I18N is based on a locale. The locale is a combination of some language and some country. The locale is managed by an object’s ‘User’, so it is stored in the user’s session.
 
Localization testing is included in the verification process of translating for the following items: text, buttons, icons, tooltips, hints inside input fields, dialogues titles, error messages, warnings, images with titles, and help docs (guidelines, manuals). Also, we need to consider the special symbols and punctuation (e.g. question marks for the Spanish language). Please note that links to external sites (e.g. Facebook.com) and copyrights shouldn’t be translated to different languages.
 
Internationalization testing is included in the verification of an inva
riant date: numbers, currency, time and date. Also, we need to make sure we check measures and telephone numbers.
 
Globalization is allowed to extend the application in different regions and countries. And correspondingly, the main benefit of this is increasing the quantity of users.