Windows 8 is embracing HTML5, what is the future of Silverlight?

Posted Date: 06-Jun-2011	Category: Other Microsoft Software	Rating:
Author: Tony John	Member Level: Diamond	Points: 50

In this article, I will talk about the future of Silverlight in the light of Microsoft's new announcement that Windows 8 apps can be written in Html 5 and Javascript.

Debates on "Is Silverlight dead" is getting hot again. In October 2010, Bob Muglia, President of the Server and Tools Division at Microsoft said: "Our Silverlight strategy and focus going forward has shifted". This statement caused lot of controversy and debate. Even though he later apologized for the confusion, Silverlight developers including me were not convinced. I had my own doubts regarding the future of Silverlight, but I continued my research, efforts and investments on Silverlight platform.

Windows 8 is embracing Html5

On June 1, 2011, Microsoft officially announced Windows 8 but very little information was disclosed regarding what is in the box. However, one of the key points announced was, Windows 8 will support new type of applications developed using Html5 and Javascript. Combined with the power of Internet Explorer 10, Html5 apps will be able to take advantage of the new features available in Windows 8.

Future of Silverlight

Microsoft was very clear on their strategy towards Html5 apps. Html5 will be the native platform for Windows 8 app development. What they did not tell is the role of Silverlight. In response to a question, they said Silverlight will continue to be supported. But that did not convince any Silverlight developers. What we all read between the lines is, Silverlight will become the second class citizen in the Windows 8 world.

The technology world now thinks that Microsoft is planning to support Html5 as the primary application development platform so that it can be really cross platform, cross browser and cross device.

However, I do not expect Silverlight will be dead anytime soon. If you are a Silverlight developer, there is no need to change. Silverlight is part of the .NET family of technologies and Microsoft will not want to take the blame of killing a technology when it is too young and still growing. Silverlight will continue to be the platform for rich media plug in for the web, even if the focus for app development shifts to Html5. Html 5 still do not have the power and flexibility of Silverlight. It may take several revisions of Html (Html 6 or Html 7 or Html 8) before it can offer the rich media experience of Silverlight.

There is nothing wrong in learning new technologies. So, it is time to start Googling for "Html 5".

It is time for Microsoft to come up and clarify what are their plans for Silverlight. We all understand there will be new releases and new features for Silverlight. But what we don't know is, whether Silverlight will play an equal role with Html5 in application development?

I do not want to jump in to any conclusions until I hear from the horse's mouth. Like all other Silverlight develpers, I hope Silverlight will continue to play important role in application development. But at the same time, I do not want to bet all my money on one technology. Instead, I am going to Amazon.com today and see if there are any Html5 books available yet!

Post Comment:

Notify me by email when others post comments to this article.

Do not include your name, "with regards" etc in the comment. Write detailed comment, relevant to the topic.

No HTML formatting and links to other web sites are allowed.

This is a strictly moderated site. Absolutely no spam allowed.

Name:	Sign In to fill automatically.
Email:	(Will not be published, but required to validate comment)
	Type the numbers and letters shown on the left.