What Is Localized Testing: An Overview of Software Location Testing

What Is Localized Testing - Introduction

Localization testing is the process of testing a product's localization quality for a specific target region. This testing involves installing the localized software on a localized operating system and testing the software's functionality, installation/uninstallation, and hardware/software compatibility specific to the local region.

During localization testing, the testing work focuses on aspects affected by localization, such as UI and content, and region-specific, language-specific, and region-specific aspects. Basic functionality testing, installation and upgrade testing run in the localized environment, and application and hardware compatibility testing are also included.

The items to be checked during the localization testing of the user interface and language include verifying all application resources, accuracy and resource attributes of the language, layout errors, consistency checks for written documentation, online help, messages, interface resources, command key sequences, etc., and checking compliance with system, input, and display environment standards.

Purpose of Localization Testing

The purpose of software localization testing is to ensure that the localized software has the same functionality and performance as the source language software. It also ensures that the localized software conforms to the language, culture, and traditional concepts of local users.

Testing Strategy for Localization Testing

Localized software must be installed and tested on various localized operating systems. The source language software is installed on another identical source language operating system as a comparison test. The focus is on testing software functionality and interface errors caused by localization. The translation quality of localized software is also tested using a combination of manual testing and automated testing.

Main Contents of Software Localization Testing

The testing content is determined by different testing phases. For example, in the first build, software interface testing is the main focus. In the middle builds, the focus is on functionality and interface, while in the final build, installation/uninstallation, software help and main functions are tested.

• Install/Uninstall Performance Testing

Testing is done to determine if localized software can be correctly installed/uninstalled on a local language operating system, including whether it supports local language installation directory names. Changes in installation files, shortcuts, program icons, and registry entries before and after installation/uninstallation should be consistent with source language programs.

• Functional Testing

Localized software functionality must be the same as that of source language software. It must also support local language input and output, such as support for double-byte characters and correct display. Support for local dates, times, currency symbols, file names, and directory names is also tested.

• Interface Testing

The layout and aesthetics of buttons and menus in the software installation window should be reasonable and attractive. After the software is running, the layout and localization of interface elements, including menus, shortcuts, dialogs, screen prompts, buttons, and list boxes, as well as font and font size localization, should be correct. The translation of interface text should be consistent with the terminology table, and there should be no untranslated elements.

• Help File Functionality and Translation Quality

The functionality of localized help files should be the same as that of source language software. The layout of localized help files should be reasonable and attractive. The translation of help file text should be accurate, and professional, and there should be no untranslated paragraphs.

Tools Recommend: LQA by WeTest

What is localized testing? If you're looking for a reliable solution for localization testing, we recommend trying out WeTest's LQA service. WeTest offers multilingual coverage in 32+ languages across Europe, America, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other regions. Plus, they can quickly expand their language support based on your project needs.

WeTest prioritizes cost reduction and resource management to improve your product's quality throughout the testing process. And it’s efficient and high-quality service includes quick setup of a support team, coordination and response to urgent needs, parallel labor division across multiple teams, and real-time feedback for transparent and controllable progress.