Globalization for mobile / wasm in .net5

[steveisok]

Attendees: @steveisok @danmosemsft @marek-safar @safern @tarekgh

We met to discuss ideas for utilizingSystem.Globalization.Native / libicuucon mobile and wasm platforms.

Current Xamarin state

• Data is bundled in a custom format
• Can be customized (trimmed down) to whatever the app needs
• Needs to be updated within mono (reactive / handful of times a year).

Using ICU:

In general, supporting the entire data file is too large. Being able to slice the data file (opt in) is pretty important. For more info re: slicing, consult the doc here.

Android

• Using platform icu works, but need to see if we pass our tests
• Problem may be in how OEMs configure. They can modify the data file / version as they see fit

iOS

• No story. Each app must bundle icu and be updated should versions change.

Wasm

• Same as ios, except we'd like to explore providing data via CDN

Takeaways / Tasks:

• We can utilize applocal ICU that @safern is working on
• Build icu for iOS + tvOS Build icu for iOS/tvOS/Android #33654
• Ensure ICU is not packaged when Invariant mode is enabled Ensure ICU is not packaged when Invariant mode is enabled #35090
• Prototype size reduction tool Prototype ICU size reduction tooling  #35092
• Run tests against iOS and tvOS ICU support on Android #35093

[danmoseley]

The design part happened here dotnet/designs#102

[marek-safar]

Closing as we hit the goals for 5.0