On July 9, 2009 Microsoft released its latest version of their new cross browser plug-in called Silverlight 3.0 that has been already rumored to be Flash’s strongest competitor. At its core, Silverlight is a cross platform, cross browser .NET plug-in that renders XAML (an XML-based language that may be used to define graphical assets, user interfaces, behaviors, animations, and more) and enables designers and developers to build rich media experiences and RIAs for browsers. Silverlight supports the display of high-definition video files, and importantly, Microsoft took a pledge of sending them over the Net (for as you know streaming HD video could be sometimes really expensive) by thus opening new opportunities for smaller developers. Indeed, Microsoft promised reliable 700kbps throughput for media files, and free distribution of all content on its network for one year.
Silverlight as a client-side run-time environment seems to be comfortable in use and at the same time made in convenient size. Its platform integrates a number of features and complex technologies making them accessible for developers. In order to create efficient applications, developers should know the bases of the platform architecture. The Silverlight platform as a whole consists of two major parts: ‘Core presentation framework’ and ‘.NET Framework’ for Silverlight plus an installer and update component.
Let’s have a brief look on SIlverlight’s features:
- .NET Framework and XAML;
- Extensions to JavaScript;
- Cross-browser, cross-platform support;
- Integration with existing applications;
- Access to the .NET Framework programming model and to associated tools;
- Networking support for HTTP over TCP;
- Includes language-integrated query (LINQ);
Silverlight provides several additional features that help developers create rich and interactive applications. They are:
- Isolated storage
- Asynchronous programming
- File management
- HTML-managed code interaction
- Serialization
- Packaging
- XML libraries
In addition Microsoft released Expression Studio which is a set of design tools used to create graphics, media, prototypes and dynamic applications based on HTML, Silverlight and WPF. The tool set includes the following tools:
- Expression Blend – Interactive Design Tool for WPF and Silverlight applications
- SketchFlow – Rapid Prototyping Tool with Player for review
- Expression Web – Visual HTML, ASPX, PHP, CSS editor with SuperPreview
- Expression Design – Vector Graphic Design Tool with Editable Effects
- Expression Encoder – Easy to use Video editor, with many player templates and Screen Capture
All in all experts predict great future perspectives for Microsoft’s latest product! There is already a great number of web -sites based on Silverlight web-technology.