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Difference Between Globalization Testing and Localization Testing
Globalization testing and localization testing are conducted to test the linguistic and cultural aspects of the software. It is mostly used to identify the product’s appeal to global and local audiences. With proper testing, organizations can introduce their software products worldwide.
Globalization and localization testing allow the testing team to measure the performance, function, quality, and other essential fundamentals of the software. In the world of globalization, companies need to accommodate the needs of the end-users, in which these testing play a significant role.
What is Globalization Testing?
Globalization testing is used to test the software for multiple languages. This testing ensures that the application supports multiple languages and features.
What is Localization testing?
Localization testing is used to test a specific software based on the country, region, etc.
Objective of Localization and Globalization Testing
Localization testing is used to identify the defects and gaps in software. Such gaps can impact the overall function, such as user interface, features, translation, etc. This is also executed to analyze the standard of a product in terms of culture and locale.
Objective of Globalization Testing
Globalization testing aims to identify loopholes and defects in software that can hinder the software’s quality when introduced on a global scale. The tests also cover several international supports, ensuring it doesn’t affect its functionality and performance. Most importantly, it is used to ensure the adaptability of software based on geographic changes, ensuring a universal performance and appeal.
Characteristics of Localization testing
Following are the characteristics of localization testing −
It is used to determine the compatibility and adaptability of software to a specific region or locale
It helps in analyzing typographical errors
It assists in the validation of linguistic and resource accuracy
It empowers developers to customize a product based on language
The testing is done on the local version, which doesn’t affect the cultural sensitivities
Characteristics of Globalization testing
Following are the characteristics of globalization testing −
It enables the application to run in multiple languages
It helps to identify potential defects and bugs that can adversely affect the performance of a software
It is used to validate the functionality of the software by using a series of international inputs
It focuses on cultural sensitivities since the software specifications may vary among countries, languages, and regions
It ensures that the linguistic and resource used are accurate
Parameters of Globalization Testing
Globalization testing comprises parameters including −
Language
Vocabulary
Date and time format
Currency format
Conversion rates
Contact information including address, zip code, phone number, etc.
Fonts
Parameters of Localization Testing
Localization testing comprises parameters including −
Language
Time-format
Currency
Appearance on the display
Font scripting
Content
UI
Translation
Features and functionalities of a local version of the software from a specific country
Advantage of Globalization Testing
Below are the advantages of globalization testing −
It makes the product more sensitive to a specific culture and language
It helps in reducing the overall cost of testing and support
It tests the consistency in printed documents, command key sequences and messages, etc.
It focuses on the software’s global appeal by improving its quality, performance, and customer base
It allows developers to identify defects in language input texts so that to rectify them at it’s earliest
Advantage of Localization Testing
Below are the advantages of Localization testing:
It ensures the product offers high linguistic value to users
It helps in reducing the overall testing and support cost
It provides cultural appropriateness assessment and precise translation of languages
It confirms the application pass the political appropriation test leading to a better international appeal to the target market
Globalization testing Vs. Localization testing
| Factors |
Globalization testing |
Localization testing |
|---|---|---|
| Motive |
To ensure the application complies with multiple languages and features. |
To confirm the software supports a specific language from a specific region. |
| Product requirement |
Requires a globalized product. Developers often separate the code from messages and information. It allows developers to build a different language software without redesigning it completely. |
It doesn’t require a localized product. |
| Target Users |
It emphasizes on the generic user base. |
It emphasizes on a small group of user from a specific locale or culture. |
| Core benefits |
It allows identification of potential errors and bugs in a software that may prevents its performance. |
It is used to identify typographical errors. |
| Area of application |
It verifies all functionalities of a software using international inputs. |
It assists in verifying all application resources. |
| Consideration before testing |
Test engineers consider the software is being tested to be used in a global scale. |
Engineers assumes that the product will be used by a certain group of users from a specific locality. |
| Validation |
It validates currency formats including addresses, formats of mobile number, date and time formats, etc. |
It validates the functionality of a particular format of currency, address, mobile number, etc. |
| Duration of Test |
It takes less time to complete the testing process. |
It takes less time to implement the test. |
| Approach |
It follows an independent approach. Test engineers, translators and engineers’ works separately. |
It is done on locale scale that lessen the testing time. |
| Example |
Google.com. It supports a large scale of langauges, used by everyone across the world. |
Baidu.com- supports only Chinese language. It is only used by Mainland China’s audiences. |
Conclusion
Globalization and Localization testing serve a greater role in uniting the whole world in a single space. It allows engineers to develop software by maintaining cultural appropriateness, language sensitivity and makes the product appears more appealing and user-friendly. Nowadays, almost all applications are developed focusing on global audiences. In such a competitive marketplace, developing software without executing globalization and localization testing is practically impossible.
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