Product Internationalization

This issue of the Digital Technical Journal (Volume 5, Number 3, Summer 1993) is dedicated to product internationalization. It examines the multifaceted engineering and design challenges in adapting computer software and systems to meet the unique requirements of diverse languages and cultures.

Key topics covered include: - International Cultural Differences in Software: An overview of how cultural requirements (written language, conventions for dates/time/numbers, user interface design) impact computer system development. - Unicode: An explanation of the Unicode character encoding standard, its design goals, and its role as a universal solution for international software. - X/Open Internationalization Model: An analysis of standards for creating language-neutral applications and the X/Open model's strengths and limitations. - Ordering of Universal Character Strings: An exploration of the complex issue of sorting words and names across different cultures. - International Distributed Systems: Architectural and practical issues for building systems that function correctly in a global, distributed environment. - OpenVMS Asian Language Support: A detailed case study on adapting the OpenVMS operating system for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. - Japanese Input Methods: A technical review of developing independent, flexible input methods for Japanese users. - DEC Rdb Case Study: A deep dive into the evolution of DEC Rdb from a non-internationalized product to a fully internationalized one, highlighting the transition from reengineering to coengineering.