OpenSilver 2.2 migrates LightSwitch applications

Original link (2024-05-30)

OpenSilver2.2The latest release of , a new version of Microsoft's discontinued Silverlight web application framework, supports migration of applications built with Visual Studio LightSwitch targeting Silverlight.

OpenSilver is FrenchUser programsIt is an open source project announced by the company in October 2021. It is a re-implementation of Silverlight and is released under the MIT License. It compiles .NET and XAML code into HTML5 and WebAssembly and re-implements standard controls and selected third-party controls. This allows developers to reuse traditional Silverlight and XAML applications instead of rewriting them. OpenSilver was last updated in February 2024.Version 2.1F# language is now supported.

Visual Studio LightswitchIt served as a framework for quickly building business data-centric applications using a visual drag-and-drop designer and C# and XAML support. Programmed using entity-based data access abstraction, used Model-View-ViewModel (MVVM) for the user interface, and produced a Silverlight application as output. With Silverlight support ending, the only option for developers is to rewrite existing LightSwitch implementations.

OpenSilver 2.2 now allows you to migrate LightSwitch applications without any code changes. Files created for a LightSwitch project can be imported into an empty OpenSilver project. By referencing a NuGet package called the “LightSwitch Compatibility Pack”, the original application files are compiled into static HTML and JS files. This NuGet package is licensed and developed bySign up for a trialCan.

To demonstrate the migration, the user program contains:Sample LightSwitch applicationIt can be run in the browser without the Silverlight plugin.OpenSilver versionGo to the source code for both applicationsPublished on GitHubdone.

Currently, screens created with LigthSwitch cannot be modified after migration. If changes are needed, the developer must make the changes in LightSwitch and import the application files back into the OpenSilver project. Interactive editors are on the OpenSilver roadmap.

Feedback from developers has been largely positive. On Reddit,A company called Yukti_SolutionsUsers say, “The cost savings and the fact that migrated apps still work and look the same are big selling points.”

OpenSilver 2.2 Press ReleaseThe roadmap includes a WYSIWYG XAML designer with full drag and drop support, as current support is limited to displaying XAML in the form designer. Support for .NET MAUI, XAML Hot Reload, macOS, VS Code, and Rider is also mentioned in the future.

The source code for OpenSilver is publicly available on GitHub. The repository containing OpenSilver has 928 stars and has been forked 115 times. In addition to the Userware development team, there are active contributors to the project, with a total of 48 contributors.Open Silver websiteCompanies reportedly relying on this framework include Bayer, TATA and KPMG.