[plt-dev] Re: localization

On Apr 22, 2009, at 8:53 PM, Robby Findler wrote:

> How about this: Mike has (I believe) string-constant-izied some files
> so that he can use the testing code in German. I'll take what he's
> done and abstract it slightly differently so that we just have two
> versions, a German one and an English one and htdp will use one and
> deinprogramm the other.

I think this is a fair compromise for now.


> (But note that I don't think your first reaction is appropriate for
> the start of this thread -- here we're localizing the PL that
> implements a program (hdtp langs vs deinprogramm langs, not the
> program itself. It does make sense for apps that are actually
> localized to use the user's locale, but that is still a drscheme-level
> issue (or maybe framework).)


A PL is just a scriptable app. So I think my reaction is basically on  
the right track.

-- Matthias




>
>
> Robby
>
> On Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 7:34 PM, Matthias Felleisen
> <matthias at ccs.neu.edu> wrote:
>>
>> Now I get it.
>>
>> The natural language selection is a drscheme-specific preference,  
>> because
>> that's where language selection is visible (has an effect).
>>
>> So for teaching languages, the string-constants library stores the  
>> current
>> "locale" in the preferences.
>>
>> Ergo, when drscheme creates an executable for programs in TLs,  
>> this program
>> suddenly depends on the preferences.
>>
>> ;; ---
>>
>> I have two reactions to that:
>>
>> 1. Since people wish to build apps that are locale-specific (say  
>> British
>> English vs German vs whoknowswhat), perhaps the DrScheme  
>> preferences are the
>> wrong place to store this selection.
>>
>> 2. Teaching languages are perhaps the wrong place to teach the  
>> creation of
>> locale-specific apps. BUT, for heaven's sake, we should be happy  
>> that a
>> non-English speaking culture wishes to exploit our ideas and  
>> software, let's
>> figure out to help them.
>>
>> ;; ---
>>
>> Having said that, I am wondering how Java apps are localized.  
>> Anyone know?
>>
>> -- Matthias
>>
>>