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Thread: Request for input on multi-lingual application

  1. #1

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    Fanatic Member ahara's Avatar
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    Request for input on multi-lingual application

    Hello all;

    I am developing an app that must display everything in one of three languages (English, French, Spanish). I would like input on the best way to do this. The options being considered at present are:

    1. Store all info in an Oracle table, and each time a form loads, pull the approriate captions and populate the form.

    2. Store the info in Oracle, and load all captions when app starts up into an array - then as each form loads, pull the values from the array. The array would have to store values of a user defined type that would include the name of the form and either the index for the control (if it is in control array - most of which are) or the actual name of the control, as well as its caption.

    3. Use a ressource file


    I have already explored option 1, and it seems to work OK, but there is a DB concern as this app will run on a central server that users will access via terminal services - there could be as many as 100 users at one time using the app. Option 2 should work but I am concerned about excessive RAM consumption (array would have to be about 700 elements). Option 3 is the latest one to be considered - although it is new to me and I am still learning about .res files. With 3 languages at 700 captions or so each, that would put the number of string entries in the .res file at about 2100 - is this too much maybe?


    Any thoughts would be much obliged.
    "Knowledge is gained when different people look at the same information in different ways"

    - Louis Pasteur

  2. #2
    Super Moderator si_the_geek's Avatar
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    If this program is just "in-house" (ie: not going to be used where the database cant be accessed), then I would be inclined to use a database, as it will allow you to make changes to the text without re-compiling the program.

    As far as option 1 & 2 go, I would say stick with number 1. The time taken to access the database should be very low, so using local memory to store a copy of the data seems wasteful, especially as the database connection is also likey to store a copy for you.

    The amount of users shouldn't be a problem unless you are continually loading forms in your program.

  3. #3

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    Fanatic Member ahara's Avatar
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    thanks for the reply Si - quick question if you don't mind...when you compile an exe of a VB project that has a .res file, does the .res file become enbedded in the exe? My bosses over here are really debating over this issue as to which way to go - I want to be able to present all 3 options with full info. Thanks again.
    "Knowledge is gained when different people look at the same information in different ways"

    - Louis Pasteur

  4. #4
    Super Moderator si_the_geek's Avatar
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    I havent used Res files myself (everything I do is in-house), but from what others have said on this site I'm pretty sure it does get put inside the Exe. It would be best to try it to make sure

  5. #5

    Thread Starter
    Fanatic Member ahara's Avatar
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    Yeah, I just compiled the sample project I am looking at, placed the exe in a shared folder on our network - it ran perfectly...I guess it must get embedded. If any other members out there have input about the first part of this thread, the more the merrier!! (thanks again Si)
    "Knowledge is gained when different people look at the same information in different ways"

    - Louis Pasteur

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