APPX Software Library

Chapter 1: Overview and Requirements

Overview and Requirements

The APPX Language Translator provides the capability of presenting APPX screens to users in multiple languages. Menus, Input Processes, Inquiries, and even Queries can now be displayed to users in their native language. Just because your APPX applications were designed in English doesn’t mean that your employees around the world have to struggle to decipher a language that’s foreign to them. APPX Language Translator makes the translation process easy and even works in multilingual environments where some users require screens in Spanish, other users read English, and still others prefer Portuguese. With the APPX Language Translator utility, your APPX applications provide the same benefits for your business. . . anywhere in the world.

The Translator consists of two basic components:

  1. The System Administration Language Translator contains translations for words, phrases, messages, and text that are common to all APPX applications.
  2. The Application Translator resides within each application. This part of the Translator provides translations for items specific to that application and also provides for a means of overriding System Administration level translations for that application only.

For example, the message “ERROR – Record Not On File!” might reside in the System Administration Translator because it is used by several—if not all—applications; while the field name “Customer Past Due Balance” would probably exist only in the Accounts Receivable application’s Translator because it is unique to that application.

Each of the two translator modules contain a Dictionary File and a Translation File. The Dictionary contains all words, phrases, messages, and text for all defined languages while the Translation File contains links between dictionary entries of one language to respective entries in other languages. Additionally, the Application Translator contains an Exception File. Translations in the application that must override those defined at the system or application level are defined here.

Note: The APPX Language Translator only translates design file components at this time and does not provide for a means of translating field contents residing in APPX data files and most work fields (except for fields with Token or Validation Table values and alpha/text Work Fields). For example, if an Input Process displays the tag “Product Description” followed by the field value of “Copy Paper – Letter Size Yellow”, the tag of “Product Description” would be translated but the field value would not.

Setting up the Language Translator consists of these four steps:

  1. Getting Started by defining the Design (usually English) and Presentation Languages
  2. Defining System Level Translations to make translations common to all applications
  3. Defining Application Level Translations to make translations specific to a single application
  4. Selecting the presentation language to display screens in the selected Presentation Language

The only requirement necessary to use the APPX Language Translator is reading and writing fluency in the language your APPX applications are written in and the language or languages the applications will be translated to. The Language Translator is part of all APPX Versions 4.0 and later so no additional software is required. In fact, if you have APPX 4.0 or higher installed on your machine, you’re reading to begin making your APPX applications international in scope right now!

APPX is ready!

Whenever. . . and wherever you are!