Globalization and Localization in ASP.NET

Globalization:
Globalization is the process of designing and developing applications that function for multiple cultures.
Globalization is defined as the process of developing an application so that it is usable across multiple cultures and regions, irrespective of the language and regional differences. For example, you have made a e-learning application and you live in a region where English is the main language. Now, if you want to sell your application in a different country, let’s say France, then you need to make sure that your program displays and takes input in French language.

Localization:
Localization is the process of customizing your application for a given culture and locale. Localization consists primarily of translating the user interface.
Localization is the process of creating content, input, and output data, in a region specific culture and language. Culture will decide date display settings (like, mm/dd/yyyy or dd/mm/yyyy), currency display formats etc. Now, the process by which we can make sure that our program will be localized is known as Internationalization or Globalization. In simpler terms, Globalization can be defined as the set of activities which will ensure that our program will run in regions with different languages and cultures.


So, globalization is related to intrinsic code changes to support such changes like using Resource files etc. Whereas, localization is the process of using a particular culture and regional info so that the program uses the local languages and culture. This means translating strings into a particular local language. This covers putting language specific strings in the resource files. Globalization starts in the main construction phase along with the code development. Localization generally comes later.