This review will help you understand Microsoft Silverlight. What it is? What are the main features? What is the purpose? On the Internet, many users often stumble upon this name, which is combined with the word "plug-in". What it is? A plugin is a special software component that can be connected to a program, thereby expanding the possibilities of its use. So, for the browser, the plugin is Microsoft Silverlight. What does it mean? This means that it connects to the installed browser in any operating system and expands its functionality.
What is Microsoft Silverlight?
This plug-in is a cross-browser and cross-platform development designed for the development and demonstration of media applications on the Internet. It works with all popular operating systems and in all major browsers. What is Microsoft Silverlight for? It makes it possible to play MP3, WMA and WMV formats in browsers. There is no need for any additional components, such as a player.
The plugin supports the XAML language through which the user interface is created. It includes panels, graphic shapes, controls, and elements for documents.
There is also support for the JavaScript programming language, which works on almost all web pages.
Later versions of the plug-in received support for the .NET software technology, which is used to develop both desktop programs and web applications.
The name of the plug-in is translated into Russian as “silver light”.
Microsoft Silverlight Development
In October 2008, Microsoft introduced the second version of the plugin, which added a lot of new things: data security, working with a large number of source data and formats. At the same time, it was announced that work will now be done with the open source community. So, codes and libraries for working with Microsoft Silverlight were added to the development environment. What does it mean? Enthusiasts from all over the world could expand the functionality of the plugin, and the user audience would reach Linux.
Six months after the release, the second version of the plugin was installed more than 300 million times.
In March 2009, the third version was introduced with the support of new features, among which were:
- Three-dimensional graphics.
- Improved animation.
- New standards for video and audio.
- Using GPU accelerators.
The fourth version began to support the transfer of video to the server from the client, as well as the use of a microphone and a webcam.
In early December 2010, Microsoft Silverlight 5 was announced. The latest version has greatly improved the work with three-dimensional graphics. Among other changes:
- The ability to change the playback speed.
- Faster application launch.
- Improved readability of the text.
- Support for 64-bit operating systems has appeared.
Plugin application
Representatives of the company claim that the cost of developing interactive Internet services will be reduced using Microsoft Silverlight. What does this mean? Due to the fact that the development integrates without problems with existing technologies, the work of programmers will be facilitated.
The plugin is able to display video files in high resolution. Website developers and designers can create their own web applications using Microsoft Silverlight.
In the process of promoting its plug-in, the company began to partner with a large number of popular portals, where a player based on the plug-in was integrated. So the competition was started with the then popular Adobe Flash, which is based on a large number of players on the Web.
Plugin installation
To use the plugin, you need to install it. To do this, go to the official Microsoft Silverlight website. What does this site offer? There will be an installation file that you need to download and run. The installation process is automatic. At the end, you just need to restart the browser and the plugin will start working.
You can configure automatic updating, but if the user wants to control everything, then there is the possibility of either disabling the function, or forcing to notify of a new version.
To date, the plugin is already losing ground, as it is being replaced by more advanced technologies. But it should be noted that he earned his place of honor in a number of computer developments that had an impact on the IT sector for good reason.