Hardcoded Translations
Hardcoded translations refer to the practice of embedding text strings directly into source code rather than externalizing them into separate resource files or using internationalization (i18n) frameworks. This approach makes text content difficult to update, maintain, and localize for different languages or regions. It is generally considered an anti-pattern in software development, especially for applications targeting global audiences.
Developers should avoid hardcoded translations to ensure maintainability, scalability, and localization readiness in applications. Use cases include web and mobile apps, enterprise software, or any project requiring multi-language support, where externalizing strings into resource files (e.g., JSON, XML) or using i18n libraries (e.g., react-i18next, i18next) allows for easier updates and translations without code changes. Learning this concept helps in adhering to best practices for internationalization and improving code quality.