Flutter’s support for internationalization (i18n): An essential for global app success
Tags: flutter, mobile, development, dart
Published: 2023-06-08 04:30:00

Flutter, the popular open-source mobile app development framework, is designed to help developers create engaging, high-performance apps that run on multiple platforms. One of the key features of Flutter that makes it ideal for global app success is its support for internationalization.

In this blog, let's learn how to use Flutter’s built-in tools and libraries to create a localized experience for users in different languages and locales.

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## What’s Internationalization, or i18n?
Internationalization, or i18n, is the process of designing and coding software applications so that they can be easily adapted to various locales and languages. This is essential for creating apps that can be used by a global audience, as it enables developers to provide a localized experience that is tailored to the specific cultural and linguistic needs of each user.

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## How does Flutter help in Internationalisation?
Flutter makes it easy for developers to create internationalized apps. It provides a set of built-in tools and libraries that make it simple to manage text, dates, currencies, and other elements of the user interface. Additionally, Flutter provides support for a variety of character sets, including right-to-left scripts, which are commonly used in many parts of the world.

The internationalization process in Flutter begins with the creation of a set of resource files that define the various elements of the user interface. These files can be written in a variety of formats, including JSON, YAML, and XML. The text strings, dates, and other elements in these files can be translated into multiple languages.

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## Simple Example of How to Load a Text?
Here is an example of a simple Flutter code snippet that demonstrates how to load text from a resource file and display it in a widget:

```
import 'package:flutter/widgets.dart';
import 'package:intl/intl.dart';

class MyApp extends StatelessWidget {
  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return Text(
      Intl.message('Hello, world!'),
      style: TextStyle(fontSize: 36.0),
    );
  }
}
```
In this example, the Intl.message method retrieves the text string "Hello, world!" from the resource file and displays it in a Text widget. The font size of the text is set to 36.0.

Once the resource files have been created, Flutter makes it easy to load and display the appropriate elements for each user. This can be done through a simple API that retrieves the data from the resource files and displays it in the appropriate format. This makes it simple for developers to update the text, images, and other elements of their app to support multiple languages and locales.

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## Responsiveness using Flutter
Another important aspect of internationalization is supporting different devices and screen sizes. Flutter makes it easy to create responsive user interfaces that automatically adjust to different screen sizes and aspect ratios. This makes it simple to create apps that look great on all devices, regardless of whether they are running on smartphones, tablets, or other devices.

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## Conclusion
In conclusion, internationalization is a critical aspect of global app success. Flutter makes it easy for developers to create internationalized apps that are tailored to the needs of their global audience. With its built-in support for text, dates, currencies, and other elements of the user interface, Flutter provides developers with the tools they need to create apps that are accessible and engaging for users all over the world.

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## Before we go…
If you’ve come this far, thanks a lot for reading. Let’s chat on top of it, you can reach me on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/yatendra2001/) or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/yatendrakumar27).

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Ciao 👋