Locales, Localization Methods and Resource Bundles

<< JDK (Java Development Kit) Tutorials

This chapter provides tutorial notes and example codes on localization methods and resource bundles. Topics include using java.text.SimpleDateFormat and java.text.DecimalFormat locale sensitive methods; using java.util.ResourceBundle class to define localization resource bundles; using java.util.PropertyResourceBundle class to read properties files as resource bundles.

java.util.Locale - Localization and Internationalization

Locale Sensitive Operations

java.util.ResourceBundle - Resource Bundle Abstract Class

java.util.ListResourceBundle - Resource Bundles as Lists

java.util.PropertyResourceBundle - Resource Bundles as Properties Files

java.util.ResourceBundle.getBundle() - Retrieving Resource Bundles

Conclusion:

• java.util.Locale class represents a locale - a specific geographical region where information is displayed in a special way. JDK supports 134 locales.
• java.text.SimpleDateFormat and java.text.DecimalFormat classes has methods that format and parse information according to specified locales.
• java.util.ResourceBundle class represents a resource bundle - a list of localization key names and associated localized text messages for various locales.
• java.util.ListResourceBundle class helps you define resource bundles as lists of objects.
• java.util.PropertyResourceBundle class helps you define resource bundles as properties files.

Sample programs listed in this chapter have been tested with JDK 1.3.1, 1.4.1 and 1.5.0.