by Cheyenne Sokkappa, on Nov 17, 2024 4:00:00 AM
We know that Blazor is the new kid on the block, but you may still be worried that it could end up with the same outcome as Silverlight. Once a shining beacon for rich internet applications, Silverlight’s abrupt decline left a trail of frustration for those who had invested heavily in its ecosystem. So, as Blazor continues gaining traction in the .NET world, it’s only natural to ask: Will Blazor meet the same fate as Silverlight?
GAP's expert answer is NO, Blazor will not be like Silverlight. Here is why you shouldn't worry about a bad outcome for Blazor.
What's the Situation With Microsoft Silverlight?
Silverlight was a development framework for the web. Launched in 2007, many described it as Microsoft's alternative to Adobe Flash. While it was great for Windows Computers and the Windows Phone (!!! what a throwback), it was not very compatible with MacOS and lacked support for Android or iOS. It rose to fame when NBC used Silverlight to stream the Olympics in 2008 and Winter Olympics in 2010, but then very quickly fell after that.
Silverlight emerged in an era dominated by plugins like Adobe Flash. These frameworks relied on proprietary technologies that quickly fell out of favor as browsers and developers shifted toward open standards like HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript. The writing was on the wall for plugin-based solutions.
Silverlight's major downfall was its limited platform compatibility. While Microsoft touted Silverlight as cross-platform, its functionality on non-Windows devices was sparse and riddled with compromises. By 2012, Microsoft had begun prioritizing HTML5 as the future of web development, explicitly recommending it over Silverlight for Windows 8 apps. In 2015, Microsoft confirmed Silverlight’s end-of-life, urging developers to migrate to newer technologies.
What About Blazor?
Blazor, on the other hand, embraces modern web standards. It’s powered by WebAssembly (WASM), an open standard that allows code written in languages like C# to run directly in the browser. WASM is supported by all major browsers, ensuring Blazor has a solid foundation in the evolving web ecosystem. Additionally, Blazor supports server-side hosting models, giving developers flexibility to tailor their applications to different environments.
Blazor has cultivated a vibrant ecosystem of tools, libraries, and frameworks that extend its capabilities. Popular UI libraries like Telerik have embraced Blazor, ensuring developers have access to enterprise-grade components. The growing community around Blazor ensures that it’s not just a Microsoft-driven initiative but a shared effort to advance modern web development.
Blazor has a strong commitment from Microsoft:
The rapid deprecation of Silverlight left many developers feeling burned, coining the term "Silverlighted" to describe the sudden abandonment of a once-promising technology. Microsoft has learned from that experience. With Blazor, the company is taking a more deliberate approach, focusing on long-term sustainability:
- Integration into the .NET Ecosystem: Blazor is a core part of .NET, which is Microsoft’s unified development platform for web, desktop, mobile, and cloud applications.
- Open Source Foundation: Unlike Silverlight, Blazor’s development is open source. This transparency fosters community trust and allows developers to contribute directly to its evolution.
- Clear Roadmap: Microsoft has provided a well-documented roadmap for Blazor’s development, ensuring alignment with industry trends and developer needs. You can tell how much effort they have put into Blazor by seeing the sessions shared in .NET Conf.
A Framework Built to Last
Silverlight’s demise serves as a cautionary tale, but Blazor isn’t following the same script. By aligning with open standards, integrating deeply into the .NET ecosystem, and fostering community-driven development, Blazor is well-positioned for long-term success.
For developers, the message is clear: Blazor isn’t the next Silverlight—it’s the future of modern, flexible, and sustainable web development.
Still Have a Silverlight Application?
Oh boy, that's a tough one. But don't worry, we have converted Silverlight to the web with Angular, and now with Blazor.
Want to Migrate to a Blazor Web App?
Well, you're just in luck. We've built a conversion tool that can convert WinForms C# code into Blazor components so you can easily take your app to the web!
