[loc-en-dev] Unicode locale extension - what it meant to Java

[Naoto Sato]

(6/30/10 2:08 PM), Yoshito Umaoka wrote:
> First of all, I'm not trying to retract Unicode locale extension part of
> proposal proactively. But I think we need to clarify the scope of our
> proposal - what Unicode locale extensions meant to Java itself.
>
> We want to bring Unicode locale extension to Java world. Java used to
> define variant to specify specific behavior variations. This model does
> not fit well to BCP 47.
>
> Unicode locale extension give you formal/well-structured scheme for
> representing a variation of locale. Java Locale ja_JP_JP is used for a
> variant of locale ja_JP, just changing calendar type to be Japanese
> Imperial calendar. This is Java's proprietary definition. In the current
> proposal, ja_JP_JP is transformed to -u-ca-japanese.

What do you mean by "transformed" here? I thought that "-u-ca-japanese" 
is just automatically added and "JP" variant is intact. Is it not?

>
> For me, adding unicode locale extension APIs in Java indicates a certain
> level of commitment for supporting Unicode locale extension in Java
> itself. However, we did not discuss about Java's i18n service
> implementation part much so far. We only care two exceptional cases -
> ja_JP_JP and th_TH_TH at this moment. But, if we once expose Unicode
> locale extension in Java, Java users may expect Currency instance
> created with Locale de-DE-u-cu-dem to use German Mark.
>
> Of course, we need a framework first. Actual use of Unicode locale
> extension in Java i18n services might be done later. If we decide to add
> APIs dedicated for Unicode locale extensions and defer the support in
> i18n services, I think we should clearly state what Unicode locale
> extension meant to Java i18n services - what are supported, what are
> not, etc. I'll put this topic in the next project meeting.

Let's separate implementation from the spec. Although we might add this 
type of explanation in the "supported locales" document, that's never 
been part of the spec.

Naoto