ASP.NET MVC: When to set Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentUICulture?

Question

I am just beginning to localize an ASP.NET MVC application. Most of the strings will be defined in resource files and retrieved via Matt\'s Localization Helpers. Other strings m

Answer 1

Request.UserLanguages[0] can only be a hint what language the users wishes to see. Most users dont know where to change the browser language.

Another point: Dont be sure that Request.UserLanguages[0] is a valid language. It can even be null. (Not sure what bots have there)

You usually have a Language chooser on the page. Once a user has selected a language there, it is stored in a cookie, session or url. I like to use url because I think it looks pretty.

If a user sees your page without having set a language on your page, you should check if Request.UserLanguages[0] is a language you support and set Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentUICulture.

I use a filter to set Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentUICulture. Thats ok as long as no other filter is using Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentUICulture. Otherwise you would need to set the right execution order for filters.

I also use Matts helper and it worked very well so far.