Which to use - WPF or Silverlight?

Question

I want to create a desktop like app, but I'm kind of confused as to which technology to use. It seems Silverlight functions like a desktop app. Which technology is better suited and has is more future proof?

Answer 1

WPF is the framework to go with if you are building a desktop application. Silverlight is more of a web application framework. It all depends on where and how the application is being used.

This Question compares the two .

Answer 2

Desktop apps should be built with WPF. Silverlight has a lot of security restrictions which doesn't make life easier.

Answer 3

Which technology is better suited and has is more future proof?

This depends a LOT on the purpose and goals of your desktop application.

If your application needs to interop with the system in a "non-standard" way, or provide other types of 3rd party interop, WPF will be a superior solution (at least until SL 5's P/Invoke support).

However, if your application is a LOB application, Silverlight (running OOB) has many advantages - especially if you want to take advantage of things like RIA Services (which hasn't been ported to WPF).

Answer 4

WPF has at its disposal the entire .NET framework while Silverlight in an attempt to be lightweight has a part of the framework (plus some really cool things). So, it really depends on the scope and deployment methods. To me it makes more sense to make a Silverlight application a desktop application than to make a WPF application deploy through the web. But again, let the scope dictate. If you're wondering which to learn, the answer is simple - either one as they are similar enough that when you're good at one you'll be okay in the other.

Answer 5

If you're used to WPF, you'll find that Silverlight lacks a bunch of major and minor features like data triggers, FindAncestor, synchronous WebClient requests, and so on. Probably not deal breakers but definitely annoyances.