Externalized Translations vs Hardcoded Strings
Developers should use externalized translations when building applications for global audiences, as it simplifies adding new languages without code changes and allows non-technical translators to update content meets developers should learn about hardcoded strings to understand when to avoid them, as they can lead to issues like difficulty in internationalization (i18n), reduced configurability, and increased maintenance overhead when text needs to change. Here's our take.
Externalized Translations
Developers should use externalized translations when building applications for global audiences, as it simplifies adding new languages without code changes and allows non-technical translators to update content
Externalized Translations
Nice PickDevelopers should use externalized translations when building applications for global audiences, as it simplifies adding new languages without code changes and allows non-technical translators to update content
Pros
- +It is essential for web and mobile apps, enterprise software, and any product requiring localization, reducing bugs from hardcoded strings and enabling dynamic content updates
- +Related to: internationalization, localization
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
Hardcoded Strings
Developers should learn about hardcoded strings to understand when to avoid them, as they can lead to issues like difficulty in internationalization (i18n), reduced configurability, and increased maintenance overhead when text needs to change
Pros
- +Use cases where hardcoded strings are acceptable include simple prototypes, throwaway scripts, or constants that are truly immutable and unlikely to ever change, such as mathematical constants or internal identifiers
- +Related to: internationalization, configuration-management
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
The Verdict
Use Externalized Translations if: You want it is essential for web and mobile apps, enterprise software, and any product requiring localization, reducing bugs from hardcoded strings and enabling dynamic content updates and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.
Use Hardcoded Strings if: You prioritize use cases where hardcoded strings are acceptable include simple prototypes, throwaway scripts, or constants that are truly immutable and unlikely to ever change, such as mathematical constants or internal identifiers over what Externalized Translations offers.
Developers should use externalized translations when building applications for global audiences, as it simplifies adding new languages without code changes and allows non-technical translators to update content
Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev