Glossary

SDK (Software Development Kit)

A Software Development Kit (SDK) is a collection of tools, libraries, documentation and code samples that developers use to build or integrate software applications. SDKs simplify complex development tasks by providing ready-made components and interfaces for specific platforms, products or services.

Description

In localization and software development, SDKs enable developers to integrate translation tools, APIs or content connectors directly into applications and workflows. This allows for automation of tasks such as text extraction, translation submission and localization testing – without manually handling files.

SDKs typically include APIs, code libraries, documentation and testing tools. For example, localization SDKs can link applications to platforms like Trados Enterprise or Language Weaver, enabling real-time translation, content synchronization or continuous localization pipelines.

RWS perspective

RWS provides SDKs and API integrations that help clients connect their digital platforms to translation and AI systems. By embedding localization functionality directly into development environments, RWS enables organizations to deliver global-ready products faster and with greater consistency.