csharp-string-extraction
DevelopmentStep-by-step procedure for extracting hardcoded English strings from DAX Studio C# files and replacing them with resource references. Use when localizing ViewModels, services, or other C# code.
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C# String Extraction for i18n
Step 1: Add Using Statement
using DaxStudio.UI.Resources;
Step 2: Classify Strings
For each string literal in the file, determine if it is user-facing:
Extract (user-facing):
- Messages displayed in message boxes, dialogs, or output pane
- Status bar text
- Notification text
- Error messages shown to the user
- Tooltip text set in code-behind
- Window/dialog titles set in code
Do NOT Extract:
- Serilog log templates:
Log.Information(Constants.LogMessageTemplate, ...) - Internal exception messages not shown to the user
- Dictionary keys, property names, column names
- DAX query text or templates
- File paths, URLs, connection string keys
- Enum names used as identifiers
- XML/JSON element names
- Regex patterns
- Constants used as technical identifiers
Step 3: Generate Resource Key
| Context | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ViewModel message | {ShortName}_{Purpose} | Document_QueryCancelled |
| Error message | Error_{Context}_{Purpose} | Error_Connection_Timeout |
| Status message | Status_{Purpose} | Status_QueryRunning |
| Format string | Append Format | Export_RowsExportedFormat |
Step 4: Replace Strings
Simple string:
// BEFORE
ShowMessage("Query was cancelled by the user");
// AFTER
ShowMessage(Strings.Document_QueryCancelled);
Interpolated string:
// BEFORE
OutputMessage(quot;Exported {rowCount} rows to {fileName}");
// AFTER
OutputMessage(string.Format(Strings.Export_RowsExportedFormat, rowCount, fileName));
Strings.resx: Export_RowsExportedFormat = Exported {0} rows to {1}
Conditional string:
// BEFORE
var msg = isConnected ? "Connected" : "Disconnected";
// AFTER
var msg = isConnected ? Strings.Status_Connected : Strings.Status_Disconnected;
String concatenation:
// BEFORE
var msg = "Error connecting to " + serverName + ": " + ex.Message;
// AFTER
var msg = string.Format(Strings.Error_Connection_DetailFormat, serverName, ex.Message);
Strings.resx: Error_Connection_DetailFormat = Error connecting to {0}: {1}
Step 5: Record Resx Entries
Record all key-value pairs to add to src\DaxStudio.UI\Resources\Strings.resx.
Important Notes
- Ensure
{0},{1}placeholder ordering works when translated — some languages reorder subjects and objects. - When a string appears in both a log call AND a user display, extract it and use the resource for the display, keep the log template as-is.
- Watch for
[Description]and[DisplayName]attributes — those are handled by thelocalized-attribute-migrationskill.