Search code examples
python-2.7localizationinternationalizationtranslationglobalization

Does debug info deserves to be translated?


I know. Maybe this question isn't in its correspondig area, but as long it's linked with programming (In this case, python2.7), it seems quite logical to me to post it here...

In fact, That's the main question.

Should it be necessary to translate debug info to other languages?

It's quite a trivial question, but it's something I've faced recently, and I don't know if I should do it or not.

P.S: By "Debug Info" I refer to text like "[TimeStamp] Handshake completed!" or "[TimeStamp] Download progress: %64"


Solution

  • I would base the answer on the following simple question: Is the information to be interpreted by the end user (→ translate) or by the developer (→ don't translate).

    Normally, debug messages fall squarely into the second category (if they don't, it might be worth looking at the UI design) – but that's for you to decide.

    Even if it is the end user who will be expected to relay debug messages to the developers, I would refrain from translating them as long as the user is not expected to interpret and act based on the content of the messages. This will simplify both the localisation (and localisation update) process and, perhaps more importantly, the interpretation of user-submitted logs.