Globalization and Localization Testing

April 12, 2019

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In today’s competitive world, enterprises around the world are investing large sum of money and resources in developing a software and application that has a universal appeal and are culturally as well as linguistically appropriate. Moreover, they validating the quality and functionality of the software product with the assistance of two testing techniques - globalization testing and localization testing and try to make sure that their products deliver services that are appropriate for a particular region, locale, culture, etc. Hence, to help you differentiate these testing techniques, here is a comparison of localization and globalization testing.

Localization Testing and Globalization Testing:

The similarities between Localization Testing and Globalization Testing are quite a few, however the differences of these two testing techniques are numerous, which are discussed in detail below:

1. Localization Testing:

   Localization Testing or L10N is an important testing technique, wherein the software and applications are customized for a given culture and locale. During this process testers make sure that the features, content, and other relevant components of the software are region and linguistic specific.

2. Globalization Testing:

   On the other hand, globalization testing/G11N is process of validating the quality and functionality of the software product, while ensuring it offers services suitable for multiple cultures, countries, areas, and geographical regions.

Localization Testing and Globalization Testing :Objectives

The purpose of Localization Testing is to explore the defects and gaps in the software, which can impact the proper functioning of the user interface, linguistic translation and features, etc., along with their settings. Additionally, it is performed to examine the standard of the product for a particular locale or culture.

Globalization Testing is executed to detect issues and loopholes in the software, which hinder the globalization as well as the quality of the product. It also manages and handles various international support without affecting the functioning and performance. Furthermore, it ensures that the software adapts various geographical changes easily and validates its universal appeal and performance.

Characteristics of Localization Testing and Globalization Testing:

The characteristics of localization testing and globalization testing are:

Localization Testing:

• It is not required for a localized product.
• Used to evaluate the compatibility and adaptability of the software with regard to a particular region/locale.
• Checks for typographical errors.
• Validates linguistic accuracy & resource attributes.
• Customizes the software product for a particular language.
• Not affected by the cultural sensitiveness, as testing is done for the local version.

Globalization Testing:

• Validates the functionality of the product using all possible international inputs.
• Enables the software to be used with different languages.
• Evaluates the basic and general functionality & features of the software that promote global acceptance.
• Detects potential issues & defects in the software that inhibit its expected performance.
• Ensures linguistic accuracy & resource attributes.
• Associated with cultural sensitiveness as software specifications can vary from country to country, language to language, and region to region.

Parameters Covered Under Localization and Globalization Testing

The parameters covered by localization testing include language, time-format, currency, display appearance, font-scripting, resource translation, content & UI, functionality and features of a local version of the software product, for a particular country.

Whereas, globalization testing encompasses language & vocabulary, layout of date format and time notation, currency format, conversion rates handling, phone number, address, zip code, font scripting, etc. for multiple locations and countries.

Advantages: Globalization and Localization Testing

The advantages offered by localization testing and globalization testing are uncountable, some of which are mentioned below:

• Localization Testing ensures high linguistic quality of the localized product, while globalization testing makes sure cultural sensitivity and linguistic appropriateness of the software.
• Both localization testing and globalization testing reduce the overall cost of testing and support and minimize the pitfalls in the software.
• The former testing type checks the consistency of the printed documents, messages, command key sequence etc, while the latter validates the adaptability, flexibility, and accuracy of various components & features of the software as per the requirements of the global market.
• Localization Testing offers cultural appropriateness assessment, localizes software and accurately translates language. Also, it ensures political appropriateness of the content and increase software’s appeal in the targeted market.
• Globalization testing ensures the global appeal of the software, improves its quality & performance, and increases its customer base. Additionally, it validates whether the software acknowledges all the language inputs texts and its usability across the globe.

Conclusion:

Cultural sensitivity, linguistic appropriateness, and software’s global as well as locale appeal are some of the most important characteristics of a software that are validated by globalization testing and localization testing. These components play a major role in making the software suitable for the global as well as local audience and assist in increasing the popularity of the software. With the assistance of globalization testing and localization testing the team takes necessary measures to improve the quality, functionality, performance, and other important elements of the software. In short, without implementing these two testing techniques, software engineers cannot develop a quality software product that meets the requirements of the target audience and market.