internationalization (or localization) is different from globalization please do not conflict between them.
I can summarized our issues in localization in a easy readable list item by item.
1- local date functions:
- it is server side.
1-1- local output date function:
- solved many years ago by introducing "formatTimestamp" function. xoops developers should use formatTimestamp function in all output date/times.
1-2- local input date function:
- It gets the date from user and change it to number for storing in the database. The local function is not exist until now. no developer take care about this.
They used strtotime function but it just can handle Gregorian dates.
(note: Please pay attention that I talk about a totally different date system.
eg: in Gregorian this year is 2012 but in hegira this year is 1391)
topics related for more information:
https://xoops.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=347361#forumpost347361
https://xoops.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=347004#forumpost347004
a picture for visualizing the issue:
feature request here:
https://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&aid=3537303&group_id=41586&atid=430843
2- local calendar
- it is user side
- the current calendar is not capable. a new calendar called "JQuery UI datepicker" is requested by Voltan here:
https://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&aid=3405407&group_id=41586&atid=430843
and the first attempt for add that is done by timgno.
news:
https://xoops.org/modules/news/article.php?storyid=6333here you can see the discussion:
https://xoops.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=75249
It is the solution
if local parties could add their own javascripts files.
3- local numbers.
- Latin based character territories (
and all of our xoops core developers are coming from these countries) are not familiar with "non-positional numeral systems" in the world but maybe you could understand if you read this wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_numeral_systems
eg: roman numeral system:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_numerals( I think you are more familiar with roman numerla system. am i right?)
currently we have a function called number_format in php and it is enhanced by xoops previous developers. so developers (core and module) can use it like this:
xoops_load('XoopsLocal');
.....
XoopsLocal::number_format($VAL)
then in the lang file local parties can enhanced their own functions.
eg in persian:
function number_format($number)
{
if (_JDF_USE_PERSIANNUM){
return Convertnumber2farsi($number);
} else {
return $number;
}
}
Also in english one can format the number like it is in the current 2.5.5 release:
function number_format($number)
{
return number_format($number, 2, '.', ',');
}
So just it needs to be added to all numeric fields (too many fields are exist in core and modules)
4- pdf maker: Voltan said tcpdf is capable for it. but i dont know much. he can explain and show us a demo.
5- LTR - RTL: In my opinion it is complete at least in the user area. In admin maybe we should do further attention.
the variable to load costume css and js is :
<!-- customized header contents -->
<{$xoops_module_header}>