Basic Concepts (Theory of Operation)

Here's the basic concepts for how the JKI Simple Localization tool works, at a high level.

• There's a Localization File (JSON) that contains a "phrase dictionary" of translated phrases for several languages.
• When you initialize the API, it loads the dictionary (you pass in the path to the file)
• Register VIs of the Front Panels you want to have localized
• Set the active language via the API, which will update the Front Panels of the registered VIs
• Note that the control and indicator labels are the keys to the phrase dictionary, the captions are part that is localized
  • This is because LabVIEW doesn't allow changing control or indicator labels text during run-time (only at edit-time), so we made the label the key.
  • Also supports changing:
    • Boolean text
    • Listbox and ring text (Combo Box text?)
    • Others…
• You can dynamically localize your dialog and other text using Get Localized Phrase VI in the API.
  • Note: The value of string controls and indicators will NOT be localized by the Set Language function — developer does this programmatically using the Get Localized Phrase VI.
• You can generate your first dictionary JSON file for a VI
  • From the VI you wish to localize, select the Tools >> JKI Simple Localization >> Localize VI menu item
  • Using the low-level API VI: Takes an array of VIs and constructs the dictionary.