Microsoft Lightswitch is a Rapid Application Development environment currently in beta 2. It will be part of the Visual Studio family. There seem to be several different ways to deploy LightSwitch applications. I would like a web only application that clients would access on tablets, and by tablets I mean the iPad. If LightSwitch requires Silverlight that would rule out LightSwitch.
The client layer of a LightSwitch application is a Silverlight application. Thus, you need on Silverlight on the client to run a LightSwitch application.
Currently Silverlight is not available on the iPad and you will not be able to run a LightSwitch application on the iPad. Perhaps in the future the Mono team will make it possible given that Monotouch and Moonlight already exists, but I wouldn't count on it.
Fast forward to 2013 the LightSwitch HTML client is now available as part of Visual Studio 2012 Update 2.
You can create HTML pages. See:
LightSwitch and HTML
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/silverlight/LSHTMLAPP.aspx
The only "official" client technology for LightSwitch V1 is currently Silverlight.
I'd love to see a WPF "option" along side the ability to generate a Silverlight client, but we'll just have to wait & see.
You can easly check it by your self... just 'temporary' turn off Silverlight ( http://geekswithblogs.net/dlussier/archive/2009/04/09/130860.aspx ) and then try to launch your web app in Browser with 'disabled' Silverlight, if it works, then Lightspeed dosn't need Silverlight..
PS: do not forget to 'enable' Silverlight later :)
Related
I am new to Silverlight.
My questions are as follows
I know that Silverlight works with windows OS and Machintosh OS. But does it works with Linux/Unix?
If I run my Silverlight application on a server and access it through a client over the web, does the client need to have a Silverlight plug-in or its installer
With repect to the above point, what happens if I access the same Silverlight application through an Iframe from a normal HTML without having the Silverlight plug-in.
Links to your answers will be appreciated
Moonlight is an option in linux.. and yes you can run silverlight apps in linux http://www.go-mono.com/moonlight/
you will host you app on web server. and of course it will require silverlight plug-in to be installed on it in order to run the application on client.
no silverlight plugin means you can't run silverlight apps.. if you have plugin installed you can even run it in iframe.
Conclusion: in simple words silverlight app is nothing but follows the same requirements like Flash.
Regards.
What is the difference between Visual Studio LightSwitch and WinForms?
Why we should choose one over the other?
Update: I understand that LightSwitch is an application framework. May be the better question is, how a LighSwitch application compares to a windows forms application built with Composite Application Block (CAB)
Lightswitch is a template driven application development environment for Visual Studio. It creates Silverlight applications that use a View-Model architecture, using Entity Framework and RIA services for data access.
The applications can be run locally on the desktop with a local data store, or with a data store on a server, or run in a browser with a data store on a server.
The Lightswitch framework includes designers to create and manage most aspects of an business application such as:
Data model with validation and relationships
Screens
Menus
Queries
As of Beta 1, there is no built-in reporting engine
It's scope remains to be seen, but I believe it's targeted for development of corporate in-house applications, such as CMS systems, billing systems, etc. and also line-of-business applications, small and large scale.
WinForms or Windows Forms is the graphical API for .NET that lets you create user interfaces with forms and controls, etc. It's not a complete application development framework.
This thread compares LightSwitch to building line-of-business applications in Silverlight today:
http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/lightswitchgeneral/thread/3f6161b6-33a3-4b6a-a4d8-ea693d6ba273
This video gives a high-level overview of LightSwitch
http://www.microsoft.com/showcase/en/us/details/74ed35cb-709b-46f7-8b21-2f681965ed0b
Sorry Carlos, but LightSwitch does not generate either WinForms, or WebForms projects. The only official client technology is a Silverlight client, whether it is a web application, or a desktop (OOB) application.
In the very early days, I believe the client was originally WPF, but that was changed to SilverLight some time ago.
While LS does "generate" code, it does so for its own use, not for consumption external to LS.
One imortant distinction between Lightswitch and Composite Application Block UI, is that CAB has been retired and is no longer developed.
Reference: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa480450.aspx
I have deployed website using silverlight 3.0.40307.0. It is working perfectly in Local IIS. But when client will installs the newer version of silverlight like 3.0.40626 or higher, It wan't be able to view website.
How to get silverlight 3.0.40307 (old version of 3.0 beta)?
What is the possible solution to deploy silverlight website on IIS?
What silverlight component should be installed on server to view silverlight application on browser?
Can we install silverlight TOOL without VS2008+SP1? if yes, then how?
You need to upgrade your version of Silverlight to the released version. You can't expect users to run beta software because you would be forcing them to use software that is known to contain defects.
You need to download the latest version of the SDK and templates from here.
Clients need only the Silverlight runtime plugin for their browser. There's no way you can enforce the client to install the SL 3 Beta version of the plugin you want; and even if you do, there's no (easy) way to prevent it from self-updating to the RTM version. Not only that, but asking clients to install a Beta version of a released product is a security threat for them.
There's no official way to get the SL 3 Beta runtime installer.
An SL app is a client-side code; on the server side you only need standard IIS that serves HTML with an tag and the .xap file for the SL application.
There are no SL components required to be installed on the server for the client to run the SL app.
You can't install the Silverlight Visual Studio Tools without VS2008 SP1 - as their name suggests, the tools are intended to integrate with VS. However, you can install the SL SDK and build SL applications without having VS2008 SP1. (Alternatively, you could use MonoDevelop/Mono/Moonlight to develop SL applications)
If you have deployed your silverlight app that is compiled with Silverlight version 3.0.4.0307.0(i.e. Silverlight Beta), your app may work perfectly for the users with Silverlight 3(RTM).
However, if those visitors come across your silverlight app who doesn't have Silverlight installed at all(or maybe lower than Silverlight 3 Beta), they will be prompted to download Silverlight to view your app.
Once they wish to download Silverlight runtime by clicking on the "Get Silverlight" button, visitors will be redirected to Silverlight download location, and the most important part is
**They will get a message explaining that this app is made with Beta version of the Silverlight.
So this may hamper thier experience and impression about your silverlight app and because of this very few people can get to your app correctly **
It is my suggestion that you try to compile your project with Silverlight 3 as early as possible .
Regarding 2nd question What is the possible solution to deploy silverlight website on IIS?
Here is the Answer : You'll need to register the MIME types for xap on your server.
Can I use Silverlight to build cross-platform desktop widgets?
Silverlight Vs WPF
First of all, WPF is not exactly Silverlight. They essentially require different run times. Silverlight Runtime is a subset of .NET, and needs to be installed by the client, to view your SL applications over a browser. Presently SL runtime is available for Windows and Mac. Moonlight is still not full fledged, and is evolving, for Linux.
WPF, on the other hand, is purely on top of .NET runtime, and is available only for Windows.
You can use XAML to develop user experiences in Silverlight and WPF, and as long as you stick to the Silverlight subset, you can compile your XAML in WPF as well.
Desktop Widgets
Now, your thought about building cross platform 'desktop' widgets - Do you want to host a Silverlight application in a desktop window? Silverlight 3.0 provides support for hosting silverlight controls out of the browser.
Otherwise, see my blog entry on hosting Silverlight using a browser shell. http://amazedsaint.blogspot.com/2008/12/thinking-outside-silverlight-sandbox.html.
This post is revolved around
Hosting the HTML Page with Silverlight
in a Winforms/Webkit desktop application
using a web browser control, and
communicate to and fro using HTML
DOM
Embedding a light weight web server
with in the Host application, and
handle requests to perform such
operations
But remember - it is not WPF. Hope this clarifies.
In Silverlight 2.0, you won't have any such luck.
In Silverlight 3.0 (currently in beta), however, support has been added for Out of Browser Capabilities, which means you can download and run Silverlight apps from your desktop.
The Silverlight platform in general is cross-platform, so external (desktop) aplications in Silverlight 3.0 will be exactly the same.
Quoted from the What’s New in Silverlight 3 Beta? section of the release page:
Out of Browser Capabilities. The new out of browser experience in
Silverlight 3 enables users to place
their favorite Silverlight
applications directly onto their PC
and Mac, with links on the desktop and
start menu—all without the need to
download an additional runtime or
browser plug-in. Further, the new
experience enables Silverlight
applications to work whether the
computer is connected to the Internet
or not—a radical improvement to the
traditional Web experience. Features
include:
Life outside the browser. Silverlight applications can now be
installed to and run from the desktop
as lightweight web companions. Thus,
users can take their favorite Web
applications with them, regardless of
whether they are connected to the
Internet or not.
Desktop shortcuts and start menu support. Silverlight applications can
be stored on any PC or Mac computer’s
desktop with links in the start menu
and applications folder, and so are
available with one-click access.
Safe and secure. Leveraging the security features of the .NET
Framework, Silverlight applications
run inside a secure sandbox with
persistent isolated storage. These
applications have most of the same
security restrictions as traditional
web apps and so can be trusted without
security warnings or prompts,
minimizing user interruptions.
Smooth installation. Because Silverlight applications are stored in
a local cache and do not require extra
privileges to run, the installation
process is quick and efficient.
Auto-update. Upon launch, Silverlight applications can check for
new versions on the server, and
automatically update if one is found.
Internet connectivity detection. Silverlight applications can now
detect whether they have Internet
connectivity and can react
intelligently including caching a
users’ data until their connection is
restored.
I'm trying to get my head around the many application deployment options which Microsoft currently offers.
Doing a little research turned up dozens of confusing terms:
"WPF App"
"ClickOnce App"
"WPF ClickOnce App"
"MSI App"
"XBAP App"
"XBAP App deployed with ClickOnce"
"Installed ClickOnce App"
"WPF Web App"
"ASP.NET Web App"
"ASP.NET MVC Web App"
"Silverlight App"
"Full WPF App"
"ClickOnce with sync framework support"
I cleaned up my findings into seven separate approaches below. Would appreciate feedback:
"WPF App deployed with MSI" (allows lots of installation options)
MSI runtime required on target computer
wizard with options
can specify per-user or per-machine
can modify files and registry on target computer, limited only by access permission set by administrator
can place shortcut on desktop
replacing system files, etc. makes it easy to get into DLL hell on the target computer
updating is a big negative: detecting available updates requires additional tools / custom programming, not built in
user does not have to be online to use application
"WPF App deployed with ClickOnce": (good if you want automatic update but runs in sandbox)
requires two clicks (click hyperlink, click yes), no user input
only for current user, no per-machine installations
no shortcuts on desktop
appears in program list like normal applications
applications files are always copied to ../My Documents/My Applications
a shortcut to your application will be put in Start menu / your company name
cannot modify the target computer, isolated from operating system
automatically detects and updates a newer version
published simply by putting them on a webserver (where clients detect and get them)
requires .NET 2.0 or later
comparable to Java Web Start
solves four problems: (1) easy deployment, (2) easy updating, (3) low-impact on target computer, (4) no need for administrator permissions.
considered "low impact"
if two users have the same ClickOnce application installed on the same machine, they will not break each other
employs CAS for security
user does not have to be online to use application
standalone ClickOnce apps do not work on Firefox and Mac with Firefox now since it needs the .NET runtime
restricted to single-window apps since they run in the browser
building a ClickOnce manifest is much easier than Silverlight etc, since the IDE will do almost all of it for you; you just have to host the files somewhere (could be a web URL; could be a network UNC).
"XBAP App": xcopy deployment of .xbap file, IE and Firefox display it instantly like a web page
the real goal of the XBAP model is to create a WPF equivalent to the traditional HTML-and-JavaScript website (or Flash applet)
the target computer simply runs the application without installation over the web in their web browser (IE or Firefox)
They're good for Intranet applications where you want really easy deployment, the complete .NET Framework (as opposed to Silverlight) and a browser's navigational model.
99% WPF features (as opposed to Silverlight's subset of WPF features)
CAN be automatically deployed via ClickOnce as well but XCOPY is more common
YourApp.xbap is really a ClickOnce deployment manifest
run in sandbox
user must be online to use application
these must be "page-based" applications as opposed to "windows-based" applications
"An XBAP appears to run inside the brwoser simply because it displays all its content in the browser window. This is different from the model used by ActiveX controls (and Silverlight), which are loaded inside the browser process."
XBAPs offers a "prompt-free" experience, as long as .NET 3.5 is installed, it just shows up in the browser like a web page.s
XBAPs are not allowed to use WinForm controls via Interop
not allow to use windows drag and drop
most advanced WCF features are NOT allowed and XBAP can't communicate with any server other than the one where the XBAP is hosted
"if your application requires full trust, you should consider building a stand-alone WPF app and deploying it using ClickOnce" (Pro WPF in C# 2008)
trick: you can embed multiple xbap applications into multiple iframes on one HTML page.
"Silverlight App": runs in client's browser and uses downloaded 4MB subset of .NET framework, i.e. no 3D)
cross browser (applications can be used by Opera and Safari as well)
updating application is as easy as with ClickOnce or XBAP
single window apps
application is in the sandbox of course
async only
"ASP.NET MVC with JQuery/AJAX": a new development platform equal to development in WPF in terms of RAD and TDD
this approach is worth considering along with the WPF/Silverlight approaches
"ASP.NET App": classic web application with ViewState, etc. probably will be used less and less as ASP.NET MVC gains acceptance
"WinForm App": classic windows application, will be used less and less as WPF gains acceptance
I would particularly appreciate feedback on:
how reusable are controls (e.g. if we develop in Silverlight, can we reuse our code/controls in XBAP?)
what is the best approach to clients which are sometimes offline, sometimes online AND need access to WCF (probably clickOnce apps I would think)
Great Summary, Edward.
Much of the code in Silverlight can be directly used in WPF & WPF XBAP apps because Silverlight is a subset of WPF. For XAML, you will have to change the namespace URI and probably have to do some slight manual tweaking.
For XAML to Silverlight conversions, you will have to do change the namespace URI as well but refactoring might be necessary if WPF elements are used that are not in Silverlight.
WPF and the Sync Framework are great options for online/offline applications. See the Syndicated Client Experience Starter Kit for an example of a WPF/Sync Framework app. Also Silverlight + Windows Live Mesh will provide online/offline capabilities.
AppStart experience:
MSI =
Only Windows. Many clicks. Install before use. Good for very huge and resource intensive apps. App can be distributed on dvd. App can do everything. No technology restrictions.
ClickOnce =
Only Windows. Can be activated from webpage. Is downloaded once. Keeps info abouts it origin (Server) and can automatically update. App is restricted. Needs .NET
Silverlight =
Runs on Windows/Max/Linux(soon) and future Mobiles(planned). Is a webpage or can be embedded into html. Code is on Server and will never be installed. Needs Silverligth-Runtime. Provides subset of WPF
XBAP = Like silverlight but only for windows. Nobody will need that. Silverlight is better
Programming technology:
Silverlight =
Runs on client maschine. Uses WPF*
ASP.NET =
Runs on server maschine in .NET but Javascript/html on client maschine.
WinForms = old technology
WCF = won't work for browser based apps. Is for distributed apps. One could open up all doors into client mashine. Using WCF = needs MSI.
WCF provides a good framework for server. You will never need WCF on client when you use REST for interfacing. The client can be connected/disconnected in ClickOnce and MSI installed apps. You have to connect to a webpage for appstart in silverlight and ASP.
XAML can be reused for silverlight/wpf/xbap. Minor changes in wpf/silverlight. No changes in wpf/xbap as I know.
The deployment options MS supports for client applications are
MSI (Any Windows app)
Clickonce (only for .Net client apps)
Clickonce is not WPF specific.
XBAPS are clickonce deployed, browser hosted WPF apps in a trusted security sandbox.
WinForms apps can be clickonce deployed and can be browser hosted.
Silverlight is (mostly) source compatible with WPF. You can recompile SL controls as WPF controls.
Non browser hosted clickonce is probably a good fit for you.
I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss XBAP as "Silverlight for Windows only". Because it uses the complete WPF set, it is possible to use the same codebase for both a WPF App and an XBAP, as long as you work within the Partial Trust restrictions imposed on XBAPs.
Also, as of .NET 3.5, WCF does work in XBAPs under Partial Trust. You can't do as much as in a full trust WPF App, but it is still useful.
You listed "MSI App". Windows Installer is Microsoft's technology for installing and upgrading programs on Windows. The installation packages it creates have the ".msi" extension. (It was originally going to be called "Microsoft Installer". They changed it to "Windows Installer", but keep the extension.) It defines a standard way to create install packages. Packages can be created by many different tools (InstallShield, WiX, Visual Studio, etc). It's not limited to WPF apps. You can use it to install almost any kind of application.
Another deployment option made available by the Live Framework (Live Mesh vNext) is the Mesh-Enabled Web Application (MEWA). This lets you package up Silverlight, DHTML, and Flash apps to run online in the Live Desktop or online/offline on the Windows desktop. You can install a MEWA into your Mesh and have it automatically deployed to all the devices in your Mesh. If a new version of an app is released, the update can be synchronized to all devices as well.
There are hints that in addition to Silverlight/DHTML/Flash, future versions of Live Framework will support MSI and CAB packaged apps, presumably with similar deployment features.
Documentation for Mesh-Enabled Web Apps:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd199554.aspx