1. Overview
Microsoft Silverlight is a cross platform, cross browser and cross device plug-in that enables designers and developers to build rich media experiences and RIAs for the web. It significantly reduces development and deployment costs and provides enhanced Web audio and video streaming and playback using industry-leading Technologies.
The purpose of this project is the creation of open source tools integrated with the Eclipse development platform that enable Java developers to use the Eclipse platform to create applications that run on the Microsoft Silverlight runtime platform. Specifically, the project will be an Eclipse plug-in that works with the Eclipse Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and Eclipse Rich Client Platform (RCP) to provide both a Silverlight development environment and greater interoperability between Silverlight and Java, to facilitate the integration of Silverlight-based applications into Java-based web sites and services. The project has been submitted to the Eclipse Foundation and released as an open Eclipse project.
The Eclipse Tools for Microsoft Silverlight Project will integrate advanced Silverlight development capabilities into the Eclipse IDE and Eclipse Rich Client Platform (RCP).
- Increased Interoperability: Eclipse will contain functionality that will help Java Developers build Silverlight applications that work better with Java Web Services using REST, SOAP, JSON and other standards.
- Silverlight Project System and Silverlight Compiler: Eclipse will contain both an advanced project system for creating Silverlight applications and media experiences as well as a compiler for packaging Silverlight applications for deployment.
- XAML Editor & Preview with code hinting and code completion: Eclipse will contain an advanced, standards-compliant XAML editor with code hinting and code hinting features which helps detect and correct coding errors.
- Full compatibility with Microsoft's Development and Design Tools: The XAML and Silverlight projects created by Eclipse will be fully supported by both Microsoft Visual Studio and Microsoft Expression Studio tools.
2. Project contributors
Soyatec (Analysis and Development)
Soyatec, located in Paris France, Xi'An and ShenZhen China, is an international software company and one of major Eclipse solution providers. It was Founded in 2006 by a group of Java engineers who had worked on Eclipse since 2002. As Eclipse Foundation Member, it has contributed to several Eclipse projects: Visual Editor, BPMN2 and e4.
It develops and markets a world wide first XAML solution for Java: eFace, and provides OutSourcing Eclipse development in China.
Microsoft Corporation (Funding, Architectural & Technical Guidance, Project Management)
3. Screenshots
In the first release, this toolkit provides a complete Silverlight development environment in Eclipse.
Silverlight project management |
XAML editor with instant preview |
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C# editor |
Build and run |
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A complete project management includes new project wizard, project import and resource management. The project structure keeps compatible with Microsoft Visual Studio and Expression Blend.
4. Roadmap
Version 1.0: October 28th , 2009
Features included in version 1.0 are:
- Silverlight 2.0 support
- C# code editor with syntax colorization, keywords and template code completion assist
- Automatic Build & Run
- Configurable Web application launch facilities
- Silverlight Project System and Silverlight Compiler: both an advanced project system for creating Silverlight applications and media experiences.
- XAML Editor & Preview: advanced, standards-compliant XAML editor with code hinting and code completion features which helps detect and correct coding errors.
- Move and Rename refactoring
- Advanced Media Features
- Cross Platform Capabilities (Mac version)
- Complete user documentation & Prescriptive Tutorials
- Defects & Regression Testing
- Developer Usability Testing
Roadmap towards version 2: general availability planned for spring 2010
We plan to release intermediate beta or Community Technology Preview (CTP) showing progress and seeking feedback on the following features:
- Silverlight 3.0 support
- Completion of re-organization Silverlight development environment
- Completion of the Extensibility, Support for Multiple Projects
- Improvements to Mac Platform
- Completion of Silverlight 3.0 Runtime Support "out of browser"
