Although primarily designed to work with machine translation software, such as the IBM server-based machine translation engines, the LTC can connect to any third-party translation services that support the Linguistic Services API (LSAPI) developed by IBM.

Because of their open architecture, the translation components allow developers to integrate translation services rapidly and intuitively into Domino applications, facilitating communication across languages and breaking language barriers in an ever-growing global environment.

The Lotus Translation Components consist of the following parts, which provide a connection to a translation connector and its associated services:

• Domino Translation Object (DTO)

  The DTO, provided by Lotus software, handles the API calls made from within an IBMR LotusR NotesR or Domino application to set up and activate a service request. It communicates with the Translation Services Gateway (TSG).

• Translation Services Gateway (TSG)

  The TSG serves as a connection between the DTO and the multilingual services provided by the different third-party vendors. When the DTO is asked to provide information about the various services available, it communicates with the specified TSG, which calls each of its services in turn, collates the information, and passes it back to the DTO. When the DTO sends a request to the TSG, the TSG determines which services are required and passes the request to the appropriate services or connectors attached to it. The TSG also acts as a storehouse for various core services provided by Lotus software, such as text filters or the ability to load and unload a service.

Features in Lotus Translation Components include:

• Improved install and startup procedures.
• Certification with Java(TM) 1.2 and 1.3.
• Support for AS400, AIX, Solaris and Linux platforms.
• A Web Administrator that allows translation gateways to be remotely configured from a browser.
• A servlet that allows a translation portlet to be incorporated into applications, making translations accessible to users of browsers or Wireless Application Protocol phones.
• LiteTransObj (Java), a low-profile version of the existing TransObj class, suitable for use in an applet or mobile device. A core service, ServiceLiteTransObj, supports the LiteTransObj class, creating a micro-http server that listens for LiteTransObj requests and services them. LiteTransObj provides an alternative transport layer to Remote Method Invocation.
• CLiteTransObj, a C++ / C version of LiteTransObj.

• LTC User's Guide
• LTC Reference Manual
• The Lotus globalization Web site at http://www.lotus.com/international

Creating multilingual applications
Translating an application using IBM Domino Global Workbench

Glossary