The Present State of Silverlight Development and its Future: Is it Going to Die?

Microsoft had pitted its own Silverlight as a competitor to Adobe Flash some years back. Silverlight development involves the blend of animations, graphics and all types of multimedia very effectively and efficiently. The demand for Silverlight development has taken a beating in recent times but it is still preferred by many for their interactive applications. It is popular among different types of businesses across the globe for web development. Silverlight also delivers a rich and high quality experience of video. The developers work on different web applications using the technology effectively. The advantage is that it can work with browser efficiently even though a plug-in might be required to run it.

The rumors around Microsoft are floating considerably about Silverlight. Most analysts believe that Silverlight is dead or will soon be dead since Microsoft is preferring HTML 5 as the go-to web development technology as the future.

But there is more than what meets the eye. It is feasible to envision that Microsoft might want to think about stopping Silverlight since the advent of HTML5 which is touted to be the future or the go-to solution for web development. There are many communities who are actually speculating that Microsoft will let Silverlight go because of the problems involved. Microsoft has committed on the release of Silverlight 5 which might be bigger and better for many reasons. This has lessened the rumors but the future of Silverlight development is not certain.

Some of the analysts again claimed that Silverlight might die after it releases its version 5. I personally do not think so since Silverlight development drives many companies to create innovation applications during web development. There are several issues which would certainly prevent Microsoft from pulling the plug from Silverlight.

Silverlight is the go-to technology for Microsoft’s huge family of products. Windows Phone 7 is the latest entrant to embrace Silverlight and CRM 2011 is to be extended too using Silverlight.

There are numerous Microsoft partnerships which center on Silverlight technology right from component vendors to the end clients. Now there might be some legal connection with Silverlight and the clients but the main problem is that Microsoft will find its whole ecosystem under trouble. The Microsoft Development stack up will face problems if Silverlight is discontinued.

Microsoft has certainly decided that they have already shifted most of their future strategies from Silverlight to focus on LOB applications. There is no focus as yet on a platform independent browser on the basis of which Silverlight started. The focus has shifted to greener pastures, one must say.

Most analysts who are not negative about HTML 5 as the go-to-technology would prefer Silverlight to continue as a technology but should not try to be on every browser. The marketing of Silverlight and its development can go on expected lines of revamping it with the course of the end of the year. Chances are that with its survival, it might be able to resurface again as one of the most competent technologies that Microsoft has ever produced!

Rich Internet Applications and their role in Web Development

Rich Internet applications feature an interface that is extremely responsive compared to traditional applications. Many of the frameworks which are used to build rich internet applications involve more processing to the client server than the centralized server. The user's browser sends small pieces of data one at a time in asynchronous mode. Hence only relevant pieces of information are sent and updated, after which the traditional web applications follow suit. Hence web development companies prefer to use RIAs for providing an optimal experience to the user.

The best known frameworks for developing rich Internet applications are Flex, AJAX, and Microsoft Silverlight. Let us have further insight into each one of these.

Flex stands tall with the largest market share compared to any other framework. It boasts of a penetration of around 90 percent which is quite difficult to achieve for Silverlight. Flash was originally designed for multimedia management and hence most internet browsers support its plugin. It is also freely available and runs easily. Flex can also enable a website to perform as a thick client application too.

But there are cons involved too. Not all browsers have Flash installed and versions also change from time to time. The user is required to download the new version if the webpage requires it. Some see this part as a drawback since those users who are not allowed to download it will automatically navigate away from that web page.

Microsoft Silverlight on the other hand was created to compete with Flex and with other RIA frameworks. Silverlight is based on .NET technology and is part of Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF). Microsoft Silverlight offers a lightweight version of .NET which runs in a browser sandbox.

Silverlight is not currently in as much as use as Flex so chances are that users would ignore the page totally if they are required to download the necessary plug in. Yet, Microsoft Silverlight is extremely appealing for .NET developers who are into web development from some years. Since .NET is already well-known all over the web development world, Silverlight has the chance to grab market share in the near future.

AJAX stands for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML which is gaining acceptance and is making its web presence felt. AJAX gives the developer the ability to create pages which are like thick clients. Those who understand JavaScript language can use AJAX. Not all browsers use JavaScript well and users have the choice to disable it completely.

Elan Emerging Technologies is web application services providing company like Rich Internet Application Development and Silverlight Development. We are specialize in Web apps, Mobile apps development and develop a wide range of better-quality apps.

The Need for Rich Internet Applications

Rich Internet Applications provide users with a responsive interface and is known to deliver interactive web experience. Most RIAs are designed to boost businesses with better productivity.

Delivering a plethora of features, Rich Internet Applications which include videos, word processors, games and mobile apps have become hugely popular worldwide.

RIAs are basically applications which are like desktop based applications with better interactivity and communication. Take for instance AJAX, which is widely used as a RIA and delivers a fantastic interface for many users across the globe.

RIAs are useful for making new applications which is not possible with traditional technologies. Complex processes like online shopping and data analysis can be done by RIAs easily. RIAs can be used for work with existing web application infrastructure and can be used as normal HTML web pages.

Customer engagement brings a lot of value to the table. According to a recent study, conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit on behalf of Adobe, 80% of the respondents said that improved customer loyalty is one of the main results of customer engagement while 75% said they believed that customer engagement can lead to higher profits.

Customers can be transformed into active advocates for brands and even play a crucial role in enhancing the brand. A Forrester report commissioned in 2007 revealed that well-designed RIAs can actually produce spectacular results and even enhance the value of current investments.

According to the research report, RIAs have always managed to meet or even better the expectations of clients. The report also reveals that RIAs have actually simplified the browsing experience and a drastic ease of use for customer-facing RIAs. Most analysts believe that a simplified browsing experience blended with interactivity helps higher conversion rates. It has been noticed that shoppers become buyers in real time due to better shopping experience. There are fewer customers who give up when the shopping experience becomes simplified.

RIAs have the ability to incorporate rich media which helps boost profit margins. Rich internet applications normally have better configurations and they also allow for embedding of videos and also some contextual help content. Users who benefit from these features are the ones who convert from being shoppers to being customers

Building RIAs can be a costly affair. But there are companies who actually deliver consistent, cross-platform experiences. There are scores of companies who can enable designers and developers to create RIAs using their best skills and technological expertise. One can leverage existing resources during times of customer engagement while also minimizing expense.

Elan Emerging Technologies is a Leading Web Development Services company that provides RIA Development Services by highly experienced Silverlight Developer with best technical support.

Advantages of AJAX Development

Get ready for a dynamic web experience with AJAX Development which does not even need a page refresh! AJAX just provides that inimitable effect to the websites that it adorns. AJAX stands for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML and is a fantastic programming technique which lets you build attractive web applications. Interactivity of AJAX-powered interfaces is what makes them so popular as it easily completes the widening gap of desktop and web applications.

With AJAX implementation for creating custom web applications, there would be better speed, interactivity and even usability amongst the users. Even simple sites can be created using AJAX while some of the most complex business applications are also made using AJAX.

Rich web interfaces actually adds immense value to enterprise applications and their UI since they are designed using progressive SOA (Services Oriented Architecture). The extended visual service provided by AJAX is present along with great interactivity features and desktop functionalities. It also adds more value to user interaction even in remote applications. By adding Rich Internet Application Development ( RIA) to the applications which already function offers better control over document and data dissemination along with overall operational cost savings and enhanced security.

A full-cycle software development cycle right from business analysis to implementation and training can be worked out using AJAX. The best development tools are utilized and tested using agile methodology for short time-to-market cycles. With the modular approach and good system architecture, fantastic application maintainability is assured along with new functionalities and add-ons.

Many companies use a plethora of AJAX frameworks for creating unique aspects and features. The framework helps in boosting developers’ productivity and even revs up the cycle.

Some of the frameworks in use with AJAX

• Prototype.js
• R.A.D. AJAX
• Yahoo UI
• ASP.NET AJAX (former ATLAS)
• jQuery

The companies who offer AJAX development services also boast of several features:

• Cross Browser Support
•  Coding according to latest standards and W3C WCAG compatibility
•  Compliance to all regulations

Rich Internet Applications - An Overview

Rich Internet applications (RIAs) offer superb experience to the user and does have a powerful engaging quality. Due to the extensive reach of the online world, RIAs can now be deployed across different types of browsers and even on desktops.

Desktop applications usually are known for better user interactivity than web applications. But they require distribution with software updates. Web applications, on the other hand, can be accessed online and hence is free from the problems pertaining to software distribution and multiple updates which haunt the desktop world. But their sore point is their lack in user interactivity.

RIAs offer the best of both worlds: desktop and the web. They are distributed online and boast of immensely rich user interactivity. Since the inception of Ajax, a method which is used for web apps to make server requests with Jscript without having to reload a web page, new technologies have seen the light of the day to contribute to the RIA movement.

Software experience is now becoming like the natural world and has the users hooked on to it. One of the most powerful concepts in computing is the notion and idea of desktop filled with files and folders. This idea was translated in the operating systems and the users accepted it because their natural world experience was replicated in the virtual world.

Developers are closely following user interfaces which replicate the natural world experience. Since the year 2002, such types of software applications which are modeled after the real world are known as "Rich Internet Applications", or RIAs. Latest breakthroughs in technologies other than Ajax include Flex, Silverlight, etc. which are part of the revolution and growing in popularity ever since.

There are some of the fundamental characteristics that the term 'RIA' encompasses.

As evident from the phrase "Rich Internet Applications", the parts of "Internet" and "Applications" are self defined and convey their meaning. The "Rich" aspect here is what attracts attention and it is this aspect of richness that requires a better clarity. The best definition can be that RIAs are capable of delivering stupendously rich user experience. Here the richness is used in tandem with the enhancements within the application which makes it more natural. The applications also look more connected, more refined, more responsive and effective.

RIAs offer a proven and a very cost-effective way to handle the corporate world problems with practical solutions to different organizations and provide them with real business benefits.

The scope of a Rich Internet Application Development is virtually unlimited. Just look at web based applications such as Google Docs and Xero. The bottom line is that if you can imagine it.
Silverlight - Flex - AJAX These are the three main platforms available for rich Internet app design.