Skip
the typical software localization beginner's
traps
Author: Renate Reinartz
Phone Numbers
Usually, an international phone number has three parts after the leading plus
sign: country calling code, area code, and
local phone number.
Country codes
A country
calling code consists of one to three digits;
for example,
1 for USA and Canada, 32 for Belgium, 420 for
Czech Republic, and 86 for China.
Area codes
However,
many countries, such as Denmark, do not have
an area code.
The number
of area code digits also differs. Sometimes
it is a defined number,
like three in the USA; however, in Germany,
the area code can have three to five digits
after the leading zero.
German
callers do not use the leading zero in international
calls
to Germany. This contrasts with Italy,
where
you must dial the leading zero in international
calls.
Local phone number
The digit
number for the local number also differs.
In Germany, local numbers can
contain three to seven digits, sometimes
even eight for numbers to a pbx. In some
countries like the USA, phone numbers can also
contain
an extension at the end, separated by a
hash #, which is used only by the pbx of the
phone holder.
International phone numbers
The only
consistent aspect of a telephone format is
that an international phone number can't be
more than 15 digits.
But the format may differ. E.g. in USA you would give a phone number (213)
984 4945, or internationally as +1 (213) 984
4945. In Germany a number may be written as
(02272)
937382,
or
internationally as +49
(0) 2272 937382 or +49 2272 937382 depending
of the target group (most Germans identify
the area code and automatically add a zero).
Sisulizer
Info
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What
you need to do
To be safe, internally save international phone numbers. Don't accept input that
is only in your local phone format.
You should always accept international
numbers. For example, don't limit the
area code to three digits or require
seven digits for local numbers.
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More software localization traps
1. Languages
2. Character
sets
3. Code
pages
4. Numbers
5. Currencies
6. Dates
7. Time
8. List separator
9. Measurements
10. Paper
format
11. Phone number
12. Sort order
13. Tax
14. States
15. Other traps
16. Conclusion
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