Silverlight is a browser plug-in developed for delivering rich internet applications (RIAs) across multiple platforms and devices, originally known as WPF/E. It allows for advanced features such as video playback, 3D graphics, and seamless integration with existing web technologies while supporting various programming languages. Despite its rich capabilities, Silverlight has struggled to penetrate the market dominated by Adobe Flash, primarily due to its browser-only solution and limited development support on Windows.

1. SilverlightNext Web Now!08Mx22, II MCA

2. What is Silverlight?A Browser Plug-in for delivering RIAEarlier known as WPF/E (Windows Presentation Foundation / Everywhere)Cross-browser, cross-platform, cross-device implementation of the .NET Framework. 16 sec download (on a 2Mbps connection)Provides animations, vector graphics, audio-video playback

3. What is RIA?Rich Internet applications (RIAs) are web applications that have some of the characteristics of desktop applications, typically delivered by way of a proprietary web browser plug-ins.Key characteristicsRichness by way of features not supported natively by the web browser such as video playback

4. Advanced communications with supporting servers

5. Consistency

6. Offline use

7. PerformanceCross BrowserWorks on Trident, Webkit, Gecko rendering Engines seamlessly.

8. Compelling Cross-Platform User ExperiencesImmersive media experiences & RIA

9. Seamless, fast installation for end users

10. Consistent experiences on Mac / Windows Flexible programming modelIntegration with Web technologies

11. Based on the .NET Framework

12. Role specific tools for designers / developers Efficient, lower cost delivery, of high cost mediaHD to Mobile

13. Broad media ecosystem

14. Tools for live and on-demand publishingSilverlight FeaturesHighly productive development frameworkMulti-language support

15. Latest developer innovations (e.g. LINQ)

16. AJAX integrationGreat tools Visual Studio

17. Expression StudioCross-platform & cross-browser plug inWorks with Safari, Firefox and Internet Explorer

18. Mac OS X and Windows

19. Any web serverFast, easy install process + 3D Graphics

20. Silverlight Technologies WPF and XAML. Silverlight includes Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) technology, which greatly extends the elements in the browser for creating UI, extending browser-based UI beyond what is available with HTML alone. Extensible Application Markup Language (XAML) provides a declarative markup syntax for creating WPF elements. Extensions to JavaScript. Silverlight provides extensions to the universal browser scripting language that provide powerful control over the browser UI, including the ability to work with WPF elements.

21. Silverlight Merits Integration with existing applications. Silverlight integrates seamlessly with existing JavaScript and ASP.NET AJAX code to complement functionality already created. Access to the .NET Framework programming model and to associated tools. Silverlight-based applications may be created using dynamic languages such as IronRuby and IronPython as well as languages such as C# and Visual Basic. Development tools such as Visual Studio can be leveraged to create Silverlight-based applications.

22. Other AdvantagesSingle, consistent runtime for browser-based applications.Performance is promising (Graphic card acceleration). There is an official open source implementation of Silverlight (Moonlight). Developed by Novell on behalf of Microsoft.Search engines can potentially index text within a Silverlight application, just as they can with Flash.

23. ConclusionThe design tools (Expression Blend and Expression Design) are comparatively new.Silverlight is a browser-only solution (Adobe has AIR, a desktop and browser based solution).Development on Windows platform only (while deployment is cross-platform).Yet to penetrate market as Adobe Flash continues to dominate even though it is feature-rich and developer friendly.

24. ReferencesWikipedia Entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverlight

25. Official Website: http://www.silverlight.net

26. Useful Article: http://fahimilyas.blogspot.com/2008/05/road-to-silverlight-part-1.html

27. Silverlight Articles: http://www.silverlightarticles.comQ n A

28. Thank You 08Mx22, II MCA