Introduction

In large-scale projects, managing localization across multiple modules and languages can quickly become complex and tedious. To simplify this process, I developed DotLocz, a .NET tool that makes localization easy, efficient, and even enjoyable by converting .loc.csv files into enums and RESX files. This approach brings organization and automation to localization, removing the manual handling that can bog down development.

Why Choose DotLocz?

DotLocz was created out of a need for a flexible, AI-friendly localization tool to streamline localization for large, modular .NET projects. Here’s how DotLocz simplifies the localization workflow:

• Quick Setup: Start with a few .loc.csv files, and DotLocz takes care of the rest.
• Automatic Enum and RESX Generation: Translations become strongly-typed resources—no manual work required.
• Supports Multiple Projects: Ideal for solutions with multiple modules, DotLocz scans all .loc.csv files and organizes resources efficiently.
• Effortless Language Expansion: CSV-based structure allows for easy autocompletion, making it smooth to add new languages.

Quick Example: Using DotLocz for Localization

Let’s walk through a basic example to see how DotLocz simplifies localization in .NET projects. Suppose we’re building a multilingual greeting feature.

1. Create a .loc.csv File: Define your translations in a file called MessagesResources.loc.csv.

   Key,en-US,fr-FR,es-ES
   Greeting,Hello,Bonjour,Hola
   Farewell,Goodbye,Au revoir,Adiós

2. Run DotLocz: Navigate to your project’s directory and run DotLocz to generate the RESX files and enums.

   dot-locz . Locz

   This command generates a folder named Locz, containing language-specific RESX files like MessagesResources.en-US.resx and MessagesResources.fr-FR.resx, along with an enum MessagesResources for referencing the keys.

3. Access Resources in Code: Use the generated MessagesResources enum and a localizer in your code to retrieve localized strings. Here’s a simple example in a .NET component:

   using Microsoft.Extensions.Localization;
   using Locz;
   
   public class GreetingService
   {
       private readonly IStringLocalizer<MessagesResources> _localizer;
   
       public GreetingService(IStringLocalizer<MessagesResources> localizer)
       {
           _localizer = localizer;
       }
   
       public string GetGreeting() => _localizer.Get(MessagesResources.Greeting);
   }

4. Switch Languages: To test other languages, change the app’s default culture in Program.cs.

Automate with RunOnSave

To keep your resources updated without manual re-runs, you can configure DotLocz to automatically update RESX files when saving a .loc.csv file. Here’s how to set this up with RunOnSave in VSCode:

1. Install RunOnSave: In VSCode, add the RunOnSave extension.

2. Set Up Watch Command: Configure the extension to run DotLocz every time you save a .loc.csv file:

   "emeraldwalk.runonsave": {
       "commands": [
           {
               "match": ".*\\.loc\\.csv$",
               "cmd": "dot-locz . Locz"
           }
       ]
   }

With this setup, DotLocz will regenerate your RESX files and enums every time you save a .loc.csv file, keeping everything in sync effortlessly.

Benefits in Large Projects

DotLocz is particularly valuable for large, multi-project solutions. Here are some advantages I’ve experienced:

• AI-Friendly Autocompletion: The CSV format supports AI tools, making it easy to expand languages.
• Organized Localization: Separate .loc.csv files per module keep resources structured and easy to manage.
• Multi-Project Scanning: DotLocz can handle localization across large solutions, generating separate output folders for each project.
• Enjoyable Localization: Adding languages is simple and enjoyable, turning localization from a chore into a smooth process.

See DotLocz in Action

For a full demo, check out the DotLocz Demo on GitHub, featuring a Blazor WebAssembly app with localized default components like Counter and Weather.

Conclusion

DotLocz transformed my own localization process, especially in large, modular projects. If you’re managing multilingual support in .NET, DotLocz might just be the tool to save you time and bring order to your workflow. Explore the tool on GitHub, and let me know how it enhances your localization experience!