Question

Can you recommend a good way to implement a Multilanguage system for a WPF app? The method I’m using right now involves XML, classes and a xaml extension. It Works fine in most of cases, but when I have to deal with dynamic labels or dynamic text in general it require some extra effort. I would like to let the programmer working only in the main problem and forgot the lang issues.

Answer 1

I am using the WPF Localization Extension. It is a really easy way to localize any type of DependencyProperty on DependencyObjects.

• is in a real stable state
• supports binding-like writing style like Text = {LocText ResAssembly:ResFile:ResKey}
• works with the .resx-fallback mechanism (e.g. en-us -> en -> independent culture)
• supports culture forcing (e.g. “this has to be English all the time”)
• works with normal dependency properties
• works with control templates
• can be used in XAML (really :P) without any additional namespaces
• can be used in code behind to bind localized values to dynamic generated controls
• implements INotifyPropertyChanged for advanced use
• supports string formatting e.g. "this is the '{0}' value"
• supports prefix and suffix values (currently with LocText extension)
• is in use in productive systems (like my public relation product)
• switching of the language to runtime affects NO timeslice
• can be used with any resource file (.resx) across all assemblies (also the dynamic loaded one at runtime)
• doesn’t need any initializing process (like “call xyz to register a special localize dictionary”)
• is available at design-time (MS Expression Blend, MS Visual Studio 2008 (Normal and SP1)
• change of the chosen language is possible at design-time
• can localize any type of data type, as long as a converter (TypeConverter) for it exists (extends LocalizeExtension)
• has built in support for Text, upper Text, lower Text, Images, Brushes, Double and Thickness
• doesn’t affects any memory leaks
• leaves the UID property untouched
• offers a SpecificCulture to use as IFormatProvider (e.g. (123.20).ToString(LocalizeDictionary.SpecificCulture) = "123.20" or "123,20")
• offers some functionality to check and get resource values in code behind
• doesn’t alter the culture on Thread.CurrentCulture or Thread.CurrentUICulture (can be changed easily)