Resource file

A resource file keeps application content, such as sensor descriptions, outside C# source code. Code looks up a stable key instead of storing a display string. Resources can also hold non-string assets, such as images, although the lightweight .restext format holds strings only. section 12.2

To serve localized descriptions in a .NET application:

• Create SensorNames.restext with entries such as ExhaustAirTemp=Exhaust Air Temperature. The file without a culture code supplies the default resources. section 12.2 section 12.3
• Include *.restext as EmbeddedResource in the project file. The build embeds generated .resources data, not the original text file. section 12.2
• Create a ResourceManager for the resource root name and assembly, then call GetString with the stable sensor name. The description no longer needs to be passed into the measurement constructor. section 12.2
• Add SensorNames.es-MX.restext or SensorNames.ar-SA.restext with the same keys and translated values. Culture-specific resources are built into satellite assemblies. section 12.3 section 12.5.3

using System.Resources;                                   #1
  
public class Measurement
{
  private static readonly ResourceManager s_resMan =      #2
    new ("AcController.SensorNames",                      #3
    typeof(Measurement).Assembly);                        #4
  
  public string SensorName { get; set; }
  public decimal Value { get; set; }
  public string Description {
    get => s_resMan.GetString(SensorName)!;               #5
  }
  
  public Measurement(string sensorName, decimal value)    #6
  {
    SensorName = sensorName;
    Value = value;
  }
}

The Measurement implementation shows the resource root name, assembly selection, and GetString lookup in one place. section 12.2

Do not assemble a localized sentence by concatenating a translated description and a value: word order may differ. A resource value can contain a placeholder, such as CoolantTemp=Coolant Temperature: {0} C, so each language can position the value appropriately. If that sentence belongs to a client display, client-owned resources avoid making the service dictate its layout. section 12.5.1

Test the returned descriptions for expected strings. After changing only an embedded .restext file, use dotnet build --no-incremental if the incremental build does not pick up the change. Give translators context through .restext comments; a bare string can be ambiguous. section 12.2 section 12.3 section 12.5.4