In this article, we will try to understand what Silverlight is, what its features and purpose are. The name is often mentioned on the net in combination with a word like “plugin”. What is a plugin? This is such a special software module that can be connected to the main program and thereby expand or use its capabilities. In our case, the Silverlight plugin connects to a browser that is installed on one of the following operating systems: Linux, MacOS, or Windows.
Silverlight was developed by Microsoft based on the .NET Framework. And this is not just a plugin, but a whole software platform that includes it. It enables firms to design and create effective applications and products for use on a worldwide network. A plugin allows you to view the result of such developments in the browser. These are mainly some types of multimedia materials, such as interactive web applications, high-quality video, etc. If such a plug-in is not installed in the browser, then some websites simply do not appear in full. I hope that now the question of what Silverlight is has cleared up a bit.
Why has this plugin become so popular? First of all, because it is free. Its size is about 4 megabytes and it is easy to install. In addition, the features that he possesses, of course, cannot but arouse interest. Let's consider them in more detail.
Key features of Silverlight:
- IIS Smooth Streaming
- extra-browser work;
- SketchFlow
- Deep zoom
- PivotViewer;
- new controls;
- the possibility of expanding multimedia formats;
- perspective 3D projections;
- textures and styles.
IIS Smooth Streaming is an extension that enables adaptive broadcasting of a multimedia stream on demand or live using standard HTTP protocols. At the same time, any user sees a high-quality image, regardless of what his computer configuration and speed of connection to the Internet.
Extrabrowser work implies the possibility of creating a Silverlight application that can be run on the local computer and work with it even when the machine is not connected to the network. However, there is no need to download any additional modules or use any special code. Such an application is able to download its update from the network, gain access to disk space and check the status of the Internet connection. This allows you to establish closer and more permanent relationships with customers and reach a new level of work with the Network.
SketchFlow gives you the opportunity to quickly create an effective demonstration of the project of a future program, in particular, this applies to the user interface. With the help of this simple tool, a set of “raw” ideas turns into a prototype that can be quickly put to work if the client shows interest in him.
Deep Zoom is designed for fast, smooth and dynamic scaling. It significantly reduces download time and makes high resolution and frame rate more affordable.
PivotViewer is able to turn operations with large amounts of data on the Internet into an exciting activity, bringing significant convenience to this process. This interesting and simple model for the simultaneous visualization of many objects related to each other by a common theme is able to retain the attention of users for a long time and find trends and patterns that were difficult to detect if you look at each object individually.
Silverlight includes over 60 new high-quality controls and layout containers. Developers are free to modify their code or apply the original look of these elements.
An increase in the number of multimedia formats is provided in Silverlight through the support of many third-party codecs. In addition, he himself has a number of built-in codecs.
3D projections that allow you to rotate and scale the image, the ability to use unique textures and styles allows you to realize almost any creative imagination of a professional developer.
All of the above features help you understand and understand what Silverlight is. It is unlikely that there will be a user who does not want to have it on his computer. And a company that understands what Silverlight is will be able to make their site simply stunning.