Question

Flex vs Silverlight/WPF

Asked by: newbieweb

I need to write a new version of my software to deploy on the web and Windows. I have thought that SilverLight or WPF out of browser was the answer since version 1.0 was in C#. But now I'm told that Flex is a better option, and that it works with C#.

I do not expect graphics since it's a business application.

What are the pros and cons of flex versus SilverLight, or versus WPF?

Thanks,
nwbieweb

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Asked On
2009-10-14 at 14:23:17ID24812970
Topics

Adobe Flex

,

WPF and Silverlight

,

.NET Framework 3.x versions

Participating Experts
5
Points
500
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: PluckaPosted on 2009-10-14 at 14:26:31ID: 25575453

For data centric business applications, Flex is much better. It includes the datagrids and other controls that you will requird. Flash player has more reach and it will be easier to code.

Flex does NOT support C#. It uses ActionScript 3 which is similar but differnt to C#.

I hope this helps.

 

by: asaivanPosted on 2009-10-14 at 15:08:34ID: 25575716

Flex could access a .NET app on the server side, but you could not code the client in C#.

 

by: chinu1310Posted on 2009-10-14 at 16:22:36ID: 25576160

In addition to above comments , I would advise you to take WPF/Silverlight approach and creating the application on MVVM patterhn using PRISM framework to get benefit of Multi Targeting[Saring you development between WFP and silverlight]

It means you develop code once and use it in both part of your application [WPF & Silverlight]
There might be very very few things you might have to differently in order to work them both on WPF & silverlight , but other then that you are fine. You can reuse your controls almost entirely.

Good luck

 

by: donniedarko801Posted on 2009-10-15 at 10:14:43ID: 25582576

Man... As a programmer, if you can find a powerful, cross-platform language the suites your needs, screw Microsoft.

 

by: newbiewebPosted on 2009-10-16 at 16:22:24ID: 25594051

> Flash player has more reach and it will be easier to code.

Is Flex more powerful or better at abstractingf the problem than C#? Could you give me an example of Flex so I can compare Flex to C#?

I was a C++ developer for 6 years, then C# for 5. I could easily switch but I would need to see real value before I change environments.

Thanks,
newbieweb

 

by: peterdunganPosted on 2009-10-17 at 10:45:27ID: 25596665

Generally speaking Flex/Flash is better for design, and Silverlight/WPF is better for coding.
Since it's a business application, I think Silverlight would be better.
Although Silverlight content is not spidered by google, and I think Flash/Flex content is at the moment, in case that's an issue.
Personally I use asp.net gridviews for datagrids, where possible, in preference to the datagrids in Silverlight. If you're not using graphics in the application, you might want to consider if an RIA is really appropriate for your project. They have drawbacks as well as advantages.

 

by: newbiewebPosted on 2009-10-17 at 10:52:50ID: 25596700

Mine is a business application and I do not need it to be spidered by google. I think C# and XAML are the answer.

Thanks,
newbieweb

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