Chapter 21. Globalizing a function

PowerShell v2 introduced a data language element for the shell, designed to help separate text from the functional code of a script or command. By separating text, you can make it easier to swap out alternate versions of that text. Separating text is referred to as globalizing, a process of making your script ready for localization. Localization lets you swap out your original language text strings for an alternate language—or multiple languages. We’ll acknowledge up front that this is a fairly specialized feature and that few administrators will typically use it. We’re including it to help ensure that this book is as complete as possible, but we’ll keep it brief. You can find additional help in two of PowerShell’s help files: about_script_internationalization and about_data_sections.

21.1. Introduction to globalization

Globalization (or internationalization, a term some prefer) is implemented through several specific features in PowerShell:

21.2. PowerShell’s data language

21.3. Storing translated strings

21.4. Do you need to globalize?

21.5. Lab