In
computing,
internationalization and localization (also spelled
internationalisation and localisation, see
spelling differences) are means of adapting
computer software to different languages and regional differences. Internationalization is the process of designing a software application so that it can be adapted to various languages and regions without engineering changes. Localization is the process of adapting internationalized software for a specific region or language by adding
locale-specific components and translating text.
Due to their length, the terms are frequently abbreviated to the numeronyms i18n (where 18 stands for the number of letters between the i and the n in internationalization, a usage coined at DEC in the 1970s or 80s[1]) and L10n respectively. The capital L in L10n helps to distinguish it from the lowercase i in i18n.
Some companies, like Microsoft, IBM and Sun Microsystems, use the term globalization for the combination of internationalization and localization.[2][3] Globalization can also be abbreviated to g11n.[4]
This term is also known as NLS (National Language Support or Native Language Support).