WPF vs WPF XBAP vs Silverlight
Many have answered this question and many have asked me the same... So after research from various sites including http://silverlight.net and http://blogs.msdn.com/ this is what I conclude:
WPF | WPF XBAP | Silverlight | Ajax.Net | |
Client - OS |
Windows XP SP2 & Vista | Windows XP SP2 & Vista | Windows XP SP2, Vista, Mac, Linux | Any OS |
Client – .NET FX |
.NET 3.0 | .NET 3.0 | Silverlight Plugin | Not required |
Client - Browser | NA | Internet Explorer 6+ | FireFox, Mac Safari, Internet Explorer | Any Web Browser |
Deployment | Downloadable Installer or ClickOnce | Runs in Internet Explorer secure sandbox | One-time install of Silverlight plug-in | Web Page |
When to use | Programs that need access to Windows desktop files. | Intranet applications for Windows-oriented companies. | Rich Internet Applications for public-facing web sites | General-purpose public-facing web sites
|
Disadvantages | Typically works on MS-OS only | Mostly internal sites for companies that use MS-OS. | Works on any browser but has limited functionalities compared to WPF, WPF XBAP | Lacks Richness in UI |
Guess this will be helpful in analysing situations where to use what!