Introduction to Silverlight

Introduction to SilverlightIntroduction to Silverlight

About Alan CobbAbout Alan Cobb

Independent consultant since mid-80s on Independent consultant since mid-80s on Microsoft platformsMicrosoft platforms

C#, WinForms, WPF, .NETC#, WinForms, WPF, .NET

One of directors of the SacDotNet U.G.One of directors of the SacDotNet U.G.

http://www.alancobb.comhttp://www.alancobb.com

Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview

What is Silverlight?What is Silverlight?

How does it relate to other client-side How does it relate to other client-side technologies?technologies?

How important is it?How important is it?

Silverlight app development walk-throughSilverlight app development walk-through

What is Silverlight?What is Silverlight?

One word definition: FlashOne word definition: Flash Browser plug-in: cross-browser, cross-platformBrowser plug-in: cross-browser, cross-platform Use case today: Animated ads, VideoUse case today: Animated ads, Video Use case tomorrow: Applications (Flex)Use case tomorrow: Applications (Flex) Benefits: Adds functionality + write-once-run-everywhereBenefits: Adds functionality + write-once-run-everywhere

Why Silverlight not Flash?Why Silverlight not Flash?

More words: Flash + .NETMore words: Flash + .NET

More words: WPF-subset + .NET-subsetMore words: WPF-subset + .NET-subset

This is a big dealThis is a big deal

Once-every-20-years eventOnce-every-20-years event

Existing client-side web technology has Existing client-side web technology has reached the peak of its life-cyclereached the peak of its life-cycle

Fresh start of a new client GUI technologyFresh start of a new client GUI technology

Web is where the action isWeb is where the action is The network is the computerThe network is the computer

Comparing client platformsComparing client platforms

HTML / CSS / JavaScript / AJAX

Desktop:

Win16Win32WinForms

WPF Silverlight Flash /Flex

Web:

Competing technologiesCompeting technologies

Desktop based “smart clients”Desktop based “smart clients” WPF on high endWPF on high end

3D, Hardware acceleration3D, Hardware acceleration WinForms: (Mature, proven)WinForms: (Mature, proven)

Web-based:Web-based: ASP.NET - HTML + CSSASP.NET - HTML + CSS ASP.NET - HTML + CSS + AJAXASP.NET - HTML + CSS + AJAX Adobe Flash / FlexAdobe Flash / Flex

Desktop-web hybrid (?):Desktop-web hybrid (?): Adobe AIRAdobe AIR

Demo – Yahoo Finance Charts *Demo – Yahoo Finance Charts *

Demo – Picnik.com Photo Editor *Demo – Picnik.com Photo Editor *

Feature DetailsFeature Details

WPF / Silverlight – Positives:WPF / Silverlight – Positives:

Vector based vs. pixel basedVector based vs. pixel based Scalable – Looks good at multiple resolutionsScalable – Looks good at multiple resolutions

XAML – Similar to HTMLXAML – Similar to HTML DeclarativeDeclarative Designers and programmers work in parallelDesigners and programmers work in parallel

Rich customization is possible in a well-Rich customization is possible in a well-designed waydesigned way

WPF - NegativesWPF - Negatives

Windows onlyWindows only

Requires 50 / 200 MB .NET 3.x runtimeRequires 50 / 200 MB .NET 3.x runtime

Steep learning curveSteep learning curve

Versions of SilverlightVersions of Silverlight

1.01.0 RTM in Sept. 2007RTM in Sept. 2007 Code behind – JavaScript onlyCode behind – JavaScript only

1.1 / 2.01.1 / 2.0 Alpha introduced in Spring 2007.Alpha introduced in Spring 2007. Beta at MIX08 in March 2008.Beta at MIX08 in March 2008. RTM maybe Q3-2008.RTM maybe Q3-2008. Code behind - .NET languages C#, etc.Code behind - .NET languages C#, etc. Partial .NET class libraryPartial .NET class library

Silverlight - PositivesSilverlight - Positives

Lightweight at 4-6 MB, quick downloadLightweight at 4-6 MB, quick download

.NET based.NET based Write in C# or VB.NETWrite in C# or VB.NET Use familiar class librariesUse familiar class libraries

Rich state-of-the-art GUIRich state-of-the-art GUI Vector basedVector based All types of content handled uniformlyAll types of content handled uniformly

Secure - sandboxedSecure - sandboxed

Silverlight - NegativesSilverlight - Negatives

Not quite here yetNot quite here yet ““Pig in a poke”Pig in a poke”

Sandboxing limits functionalitySandboxing limits functionality

Conflicting products within Microsoft?Conflicting products within Microsoft?

Demo: Silverlight Airlines *Demo: Silverlight Airlines *

Demo: MS Download Center *Demo: MS Download Center *

Demo: 3Demo: 3rdrd Party Control Vendor * Party Control Vendor *

Silverlight 2.0 Features:Silverlight 2.0 Features:

Won’t know details until March 2008Won’t know details until March 2008

Controls:Controls:

Data:Data:

Communications:Communications:

Silverlight 2.0 Features:Silverlight 2.0 Features:

Controls:Controls: Extensible control base classesExtensible control base classes Common controls:Common controls:

Textbox, Checkbox, Radiobutton, etc Textbox, Checkbox, Radiobutton, etc

TabControl, Slider, ScrollViewer, ProgressBar, etcTabControl, Slider, ScrollViewer, ProgressBar, etc Layout controls:Layout controls:

Grid, StackPanelGrid, StackPanel Data controls:Data controls:

DataGrid, etcDataGrid, etc

Silverlight 2.0 Features:Silverlight 2.0 Features:

Data:Data: 2-way data binding2-way data binding More LINQ support: LINQ to XMLMore LINQ support: LINQ to XML

Silverlight 2.0 Features:Silverlight 2.0 Features:

Communications:Communications: REST, POX, RSS, and WS-* communicationREST, POX, RSS, and WS-* communication Cross domain network accessCross domain network access SocketsSockets

Feature Unknowns (?)Feature Unknowns (?)

Local client integration?Local client integration? Read and write local files?Read and write local files? Read local mic and webcam?Read local mic and webcam?

WCF?WCF?

Depth of class libraries?Depth of class libraries? Pay-for-playPay-for-play

SilverlightSilverlightDevelopmentDevelopmentWalk-throughWalk-through

Silverlight ToolsSilverlight Tools

Expression Expression BlendBlend:: GUI builderGUI builder Graphic designersGraphic designers

Visual Studio 2008:Visual Studio 2008: Includes a more limited GUI builderIncludes a more limited GUI builder ProgrammersProgrammers