Globalization Handbook for the Microsoft .NET Platform

Part III of the Globalization Handbook for the Microsoft .NET Platform is now available in PDF format for $25. Complete our secure on-line form, to receive download information for the book and the code files within 24 hours (excluding weekends).

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In Part III of the Globalization Handbook, Bill Hall continues to explain and demonstrate the process of making an application ready for the world using the Microsoft .NET platform. As in Parts I and II, Part III is published in PDF format; each section is available separately for download. Hall also plans to provide updates in the same format as .NET evolves into newer versions.

The nine chapters of Part III are distributed across the topics of number formatting, examining the Unicode character structure and category, text properties, code pages, encoding and decoding to and from Unicode, and finally, the riches of the .NET calendar classes. As always, methods and properties are explained and demonstrated in detail using console applications as well as Windows forms and web pages that the reader can manipulate across all supported .NET cultures, and calendar combinations when relevant. Knowledge of the contents of Parts I and II will be helpful for full understanding of the topics of Part III.

Part III begins by introducing the .NET value types and covers the various numeric structures such as integral, float, and decimal types. Many demonstrations are provided here. The NumberFormatInfo class is then covered in extensive detail including explanations of properties and methods. A follow-up chapter provides useful exploratory demonstrations of the features of the class, which can be examined across all cultures.

In a single chapter, both the .NET Char structure and the related UnicodeCategory enumeration are explained and demonstrated. Char has a number of useful methods and properties and you can examine each of them along with its UnicodeCategory type across the entire range of Char.

The TextInfo class is covered in two chapters. Although the properties are few, there are a number of methods for mono- and title casing operations on text oriented toward providing culturally correct results that you can explore. In addition, the class provides suggestions on appropriate code pages for various cultures, and that inspired providing displays of single and multibyte code pages as well as several examples explaining how to use the .NET Encoding and Decoding classes.

Microsoft .NET has a DaylightTime class for providing start, end, and duration of daylight time. When combined with the TimeZone class, it is possible to obtain such information around the world. In a brief chapter, both are covered in detail and a demonstration program is provided.

Ending Part III are two chapters that introduce the reader to some of the mysteries of calendars. In the first chapter, the basics are presented including fields, the few properties, and the extensive methods. Many examples dealing with conversions are supplied. In the final chapter, a few programs using .NET web and Windows calendar controls are demonstrated. Also provided is a simple monthly calendar that works across all the current .NET calendars and provides localized weekday names.