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Guy Haas wondered: <<Has anyone here encountered a scheme in which the
constant strings, particularly the diagnostic messages, of a software
product are separated from the software itself?>>
Not exactly what you wanted, but: The programmers at my former employer
and current client create all the text strings in external .pas files
(they're using Delphi), which are basically text format and thus easily
editable. They send me the files, and I print a copy* so I can compare
the English against the French to make sure they both say the same
thing. Then I either return the edited printouts or send them the text
file saved as a Word document and edited in Word (using revision
tracking) so they can approve the edits. They then resave the file in
text format, and compile it into the software.
* With a 19- or 21-inch monitor, I could open two windows side by side
and do the comparison directly online. Since I'm only using a 17-inch
monitor, I find this too difficult to read.
Works like a charm, with one exception: the text strings are entirely
"out of context" (i.e., it's not always clear what part of the
interface they refer to). But that's why Microsoft made the comment
function in Word. ("If this is in the X dialog box, this should be X
instead of Y. Y is correct if this refers to the Y dialog.")
--Geoff Hart ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca
(try geoffhart -at- mac -dot- com if you don't get a reply)
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