ASP.NET Localization and Globalization Guide

Nowadays, releasing software applications adapted to different languages and cultures globally has great importance. Effective use of localization and globalization features in projects developed with ASP.NET allows your application to reach a wider audience. In this article, we will address the topic of "ASP.NET Localization and Globalization" with technical details, explain the process simply with SEO-friendly tips and sample code.

What are Globalization and Localization in ASP.NET?

In ASP.NET, Globalization refers to designing an application to meet multicultural and multilingual requirements. In this way, your application can automatically adapt date, time, number formats, and localized content according to different cultures. Localization, on the other hand, allows resources (texts, error messages, images, etc.) specific to a particular language or culture to be provided for use.

The Difference Between Globalization and Localization

While globalization structurally enables the application to be multilingual, localization enables the creation and use of content specific to each language/culture. ASP.NET offers a flexible development environment by allowing you to configure these two concepts separately.

How to Do Localization and Globalization with ASP.NET?

You can follow the steps below to manage localization and globalization processes in your ASP.NET project:

• Configure culture and language settings.
• Create resource files (.resx).
• Use the RequestLocalization middleware to automatically select the correct resources in the application.

Culture Setting with web.config

You can set the default culture and UI culture of your application via web.config as shown below:

<globalization culture="tr-TR" uiCulture="tr" />

Using Localization Middleware in .NET Core

In ASP.NET Core projects, you can add the localization process with middleware as follows:

public void ConfigureServices(IServiceCollection services)
{
    services.AddLocalization(options => options.ResourcesPath = "Resources");
    services.AddControllersWithViews()
            .AddViewLocalization();
}

public void Configure(IApplicationBuilder app, IWebHostEnvironment env)
{
    var supportedCultures = new[] { "en-US", "tr-TR" };
    var localizationOptions = new RequestLocalizationOptions()
        .SetDefaultCulture("tr-TR")
        .AddSupportedCultures(supportedCultures)
        .AddSupportedUICultures(supportedCultures);

    app.UseRequestLocalization(localizationOptions);
}

Localization with .resx Resource File

You can create a separate .resx file for each language and easily manage your texts. For example:

// Resources/SharedResource.tr.resx
// Resources/SharedResource.en.resx

// In Controller or Razor View
@inject IStringLocalizer<SharedResource> localizer
<p>@localizer["WelcomeMessage"]</p>

Conclusion: ASP.NET Localization and Globalization in a Globalizing World

By applying localization and globalization with ASP.NET, you can make your software available for multilingual and multicultural use. In this way, you both enhance user experience and appeal to a much larger user base. Not only technically but also in terms of SEO, pages that support different cultures and languages become more visible in search engines such as Google. Be sure to implement the steps of "ASP.NET Localization and Globalization" to take your application to the next level!