Globalization testing ensures that the application will support multiple languages and multiple features because, in the current scenario, we can see the rise of several technologies as the applications are planned in such a way that they can be used globally.
Globalization Testing in Software Testing
Globalization testing is another type of software testing used to test software developed for multiple languages and optimize the application or software for different languages.
For example: In India, Google.com supports most languages and can be accessed by a large number of people from different countries as it is a globalized application.
Objectives of Globalization Testing
The main objectives of globalization testing are as follows:
- This is used to ensure that the application supports all languages around the world.
- It is used to identify different stages of implementation.
- It is used to describe the user interface of the software.
- This test will focus on the worldwide experiences of the application.
- This is used to ensure that the code can handle all international support without breaking the functionality of the application.
Need for Globalization Testing
We need to check globalization testing to meet the following conditions:
1. Understanding Language Vocabulary: The application should be designed in such a way that it can easily understand the terms of multiple languages around the world.
For example:
- In the UK → English
- In India → Hindi and English
2. Zipcode: Suppose we lived in the UK where the zip code consists of alphabetic characters and in India zip code is in 6-digit format. Thus if we select our country like India and enter our state pin code it should accept only 6 digit code.
So in this scenario, the software should receive the zip code based on the UK zip code format. So it is important to ensure that the zip code functionality is working properly on a location-by-location basis.
3. Address and Telephone Number Format: The application should be tested in such a way that it can access the address and phone number formats of multiple countries.
For example:
- United Kingdom →+44
- India → +91
Globalization Testing Types
Globalization testing is divided into two different parts, which are as follows:
1. Internationalization Testing
Internationalization testing is the process of developing and planning software or applications or file content, which allows us to adapt our application to any language, culture, and region without requiring any changes to the source code. This testing is also known as I18N testing, and here 18 is the number between I and N in the internationalization world.
Internationalization testing focuses on various testing such as functional testing, integration testing, usability testing, user interface testing, compatibility testing, installation testing, and validation testing.
In this testing, the application code is independent of the language, and it is done at the design level.
Objectives of Internationalization Testing
We will perform I18N testing to check the following conditions.
- To verify that the correct content is in the correct location.
- To check the adverse effects on product quality.
- To verify that the content is in the correct language.
International Testing Example
If we want our software in French, we have to click on Browser. The browser will direct us to the server where the code is in English, and from there, it is executed, and the output is translated into French and displayed in French.
Now the question arises how do we translate into another language?
Can we do it with the help of a translator, no there are some flaws in using a translator.
If we translate the code from English to another language with the help of a translator, we encounter the following results:
- We will not invoke sense, so the use of translators will fail.
- The meaning will change.
Let’s see how internationalization testing works for the English language:
We will write a generic code in English, and for all other languages, we have multiple property files. Suppose we have 6 different languages, and for that, we have 6 different properties files. Let’s see how this will work:
First, click on the browser, and it will send the request to the server with the following guidelines we need a welcome page and start the language code EN. The code where the language is implemented has English property files. Now we select the English property file and connect to the specified link.
For example, if the next step of coding is for the login module, it is related to Link1, then collects the data stored there and displays it in the English language. The same process will continue for other links, such as forums, sales, and products. The same process will be followed for different languages.
But here we have to consider who wrote these properties files.
First, the developer writes the property files in English. Then the experienced person takes the data and manually writes the properties file and gives it back to the developers.
After that, the developer places this particular property on the server.
Now we understand how we will translate it into French, and we also test it.
We will follow the same process as above:
- First, we click on Browser and select the French language before clicking More.
- After clicking, it takes us to the welcome page with the selected language code FR.
- So, it will go to the FR property file and display the data (French), which is stored in the file based on the link.
As if we have now changed the language from English to French. So how do we verify that it is in French or another language?
Go to the French properties file and change the content in that specific file.
Once we are done editing the properties file, we again select the French language and see if the content changes we made are showing the same.
If it shows the same, the test engineer can do the testing, and we should modify the properties file, not the actual code. Or if it is not showing the same, then we will find the defects that need to be fixed only in the code.
While doing I18N testing, we may find the following defects:
If we select English → Display in English.
If we choose French → Display it in French.
If we choose Japanese → Display it in French.
2. Localization Testing (L10N Testing)
Localization testing is nothing but format testing, where we check the format details based on country, region, etc. This is also called L10N testing, and here 10 is the number between L and N in the localization word.
The main purpose of localization is to give a product a look and feel for the target market, regardless of their culture, location, and language. This testing is not required to localize the product.
Let’s understand the different formats of testing, that we perform in localization testing:
1. Date Format Testing
The software should be designed in such a way that it can follow the history based on its country format.
For example:
- In USA, date format→MM-DD-YY
- In India, date format→DD-MM-YYYY
2. Currency Format Testing
In this, we are not concerned about the format functionality, like converting $ to Rs Or not. Here we just check if $ should be first or last.
For example 200$, $250, Rs.500 (standard should be according to country standard)
3. Pin Code Format Testing
In this testing, we have the countries that have a pin code with letters like PQ230. Checking the pin code format is L10N testing, and checking if PQ is translated into French is I18N testing.
4. Image Format Testing
In this, we can only change the image name because the image cannot be changed. So we should have multiple images by country.
Advantages of Globalization Testing
The advantages of globalization testing are as follows:
- This test will provide free editions of software applications or other content at multiple locations.
- This testing ensures that the application can be used in different languages without the need to rewrite the entire software code.
- This will improve the code design and quality of the product.
- This will increase the customer base worldwide.
- This testing localization will help us reduce the cost and time for testing.
- This testing will give us more scalability and flexibility.
Disadvantages of Globalization Testing
The disadvantages of globalization testing are as follows:
- A test engineer may face a scheduling challenge.
- We need a domain expert to test the universality,
- We need to hire a local translator, which makes the procedure expensive.