Question

I have a multi-language windows application that uses standard .net localization in resx files.

Now I have a request to add a possibility for user to create his own language files that are not originally supported and add them to the application without recompiling it.

What’s the best approach to achieve this?

I’m considering moving the languages to database and then crating a second tool that’ll add translations to the database, but would rather keep the current approach, if it’s possible to add resx files dynamically.

Answer 1

This is exactly why I don’t use .NET localization but wrote my own.

I store the translations in files separate from the EXE, have a Windows-Forms-based GUI for translation that I can embed in any application (and working on a WPF clone of it), and allow users to switch languages without restarting the application.

I don’t get why anyone would want it any different and why Microsoft created such a bad and limited system.

Unfortunately, I cannot publish my system right now, but I’m hoping I’ll be able to soon.