1.3 Benefits of Internationalized Software

Internationalization addresses many of the key software issues:

• Improving software quality

• Reducing development time and cost

• Enabling code reuse

• Reducing localization costs

• Reducing maintenance costs

• Increasing customer satisfaction

Using separate locale-specific files to localize applications is simpler, faster, and more cost effective on the whole. Software is more easily released world wide at less expense. As well, users are much happier working in their own language with their own conventions.

Using a single binary in an internationalized application ensures that the same feature set is available for a particular software version and lessens support, maintenance, and system-administration costs. Interoperability and productivity improves and common training materials can be used. Most importantly, internationalized and localized applications help developers compete and succeed in new foreign-language markets. Everyone benefits with internationalized software.