Silverlight is a powerful development platform introduced by Microsoft for the creation of rich media applications for the web, desktop, and mobile devices. It is compatible with multiple web browsers used on Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems.

The technology:

Microsoft's entry into the sphere of rich internet applications reflects the company's desire to extend the reach of their .NET framework. Going beyond the traditional HTTP/HTML limitations, this technology uses XAML and .NET framework to write Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) applications. It can be used with the JavaScript and can also work within AJAX-enabled web pages.

The applicability:

All kinds of companies are using Silverlight to build interactive applications and deliver flawless streaming media to audiences on all types of screens wherever the web works. It provides high resolution images, great pixel shade effects, videos, 3D graphics, animations, rich internet application productivity, web designing, 60+ controls with source code, and smooth streaming. All its application processing takes place on the client machine that enhances the web experience for the client and decreases server resource utilization.

Well, it supports the usual array of Windows Media Video, Windows Media Audio, and MP3 content without requiring Windows Media Player, Windows Media Player ActiveX control, or even Windows Media browser plug-ins. Thus, we get an advanced internet multimedia center where there is no need to download different plug-ins for the same application.

The benefits:

With Silverlight 4, the latest version, the users are offered many improved or new functionalities like:

• Enhanced animation effects
• Enhanced data binding support
• Rich internet application (RIA) services
• Support for Google Chrome browser
• Microphone and web cam support
• Support for printing
• New and enhanced controls such as a RichTextBox
• New hosted browser support to render HTML inside Silverlight
• Clipboard and drag and drop support
• Deep zoom performance enhancements
• Out-of-browser support features like full keyboard access while running in full-screen mode and programmatic access to the local document folder of a user.

Progress path:

Though newer than its contemporary technologies Adobe Flash/Flex and AJAX, Silverlight promises to serve a good future to internet applications.