ASP.Net Resources ( Multi Languages )

Creating a website with multi languages very common development to all web developers. Somehow, I hope this could be helpful and it is just about sharing knowledge.

What is Global Resources :
   - One Language One Resource file ( share within pages in the entire web site. )
   - Explicit localization
   - Create resource file manually.

What is Local Resources :
   - For each page One Resource file ( cannot share with other page )
   - Implicit localization
   - By web Tools. (Finish the page first and switch to Design View. Tools > Generate Local Resource)

My example is Explicit localization

1. Create BasePage Class in App_Code folder

public class BasePage : System.Web.UI.Page
{
    protected override void InitializeCulture()
    {
        if (Session["CUL"] != null)
        {
            String selectedLanguage = Session["CUL"].ToString();
            UICulture = selectedLanguage;
            Culture = selectedLanguage;

            Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentCulture =
                CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture(selectedLanguage);
            Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentUICulture = new
                CultureInfo(selectedLanguage);
        }
        base.InitializeCulture();
    }
}

2. All the Web Forms need to change inheritance class BagePage class instead of default inherit System.Web.UI.Page.

3. Add Resource file (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BXpZyoxHzY)

 

4.a. Default.aspx

   <asp:Label ID="Label1" runat="server"
            Text="<%$ Resources:LocalString, Welcome %>"></asp:Label>
        <br />
        <asp:Label ID="Label2" runat="server"
            Text="<%$ Resources:LocalString, Construction %>"></asp:Label>
        <br />
        <br />
        <asp:DropDownList ID="DropDownList1" runat="server" AutoPostBack="true"
            onselectedindexchanged="DropDownList1_SelectedIndexChanged">
        <asp:ListItem Text="en-US" Value="en-US"></asp:ListItem>
        <asp:ListItem Text="en-AU" Value="en-AU"></asp:ListItem>
        </asp:DropDownList>
   
        <br />
        <br />
        <asp:HyperLink ID="HyperLink1" runat="server" NavigateUrl="~/Default2.aspx">HyperLink</asp:HyperLink>

4.b. Default.aspx.cs

using System.Threading;
using System.Globalization;

public partial class _Default : BasePage
{
    protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        if (!Page.IsPostBack)
        {
            if (Session["CUL"] != null)
            {
                DropDownList1.SelectedIndex=DropDownList1.Items.IndexOf(DropDownList1.Items.FindByValue(Session["CUL"].ToString()));
            }
        }
    }

    protected void DropDownList1_SelectedIndexChanged(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        Session["CUL"] = DropDownList1.SelectedItem.Value;
        Response.Redirect(Request.Url.AbsoluteUri);
    }
}

5. Default2.aspx
<asp:Label ID="Label2" runat="server"
            Text="<%$ Resources:LocalString, Construction %>"></asp:Label>

That is ALL. Enjoy programming
Download Sample

Useful links :
- What  is BasePage Class
- Microsoft MSDN
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms247245.aspx
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms227427.aspx
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/fw69ke6f(v=vs.90).aspx