Hello.  I am divided on whether to product new projects using ASP.NET AJAX or Silverlight.  The projects I mostly produce are data-driven apps so there are many data forms for entry, crunching of data and report output of those data.

Silverlight looks like it might be the up-and-coming technology providing users with all the glimmer expected in today's apps.  However, I am uncertain about Silverlights capabilities when it comes to handling database tables as I've mentioned above.

Telerik offers OpenAccess (OA) and Reporting, two very useful/important features to me.  Those are both great with ASP.NET, but do they work with Silverlight?

Can I use OA to help handle the data in a Silverlight app?  Can I use Reporting in a Silverlight app?

Thoughts / recommendations?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Hello MWM,

You can use OpenAccess with Silverlight, there is an example how it can be done -- TelerikSalesDashBoard which you can download from here. Note that the demo there is not with the latest Silverlight binaries, but we will update it today or tomorrow.
   
Reporting however is not compatible with Silverlight although there is a fairly easy workaround. You can use RadHtmlPlaceholder for Silverlight where you can host an ASP.NET site and use this placeholder to show your Reports.

So it is possible to accomplish your project using Silverlight but personally I would advise you to use ASP.NET as you are familiar with it, and using Silverlight for such kind of application might not be so easy. Hope that will help you make the best choice for you.

Sincerely yours,
Boyan
the Telerik team

Boyan,

Thank you for getting back to me.  I appreciate your input.

1.  You are right that I am not currently familiar with Silverlight.  My bit of knowledge lies within ASP.NET.  However, that wasn't the case before I began learning ASP.NET - I was unfamiliar with it too.  Point being that I wouldn't want to avoid using a Silverlight solution since I haven't yet learned how to do that; I will learn.  I am still afraid that ASP.NET will eventually fade and that Silverlight will be the platform of choice for the web.  The animation and colorful graphics make for very "slick" solutions.  But again, the solutions I plan to develop are database apps.  Is that truly a problem with Silverlight now?  Will it be with Silverlight 3?  I know there's two-way binding in Silverlight.  I don't know much about it except that it sounds like it might make data input/output easier.

2.  You mentioned that Reporting is not compatible with Silverlight (you stated a work-around was necessary).  However, I just watched a video, "What's New in Silverlight and WPF RadControls Q2 2009", and its opening screen (prior to clicking "play") as well as during the presentation clearly show and discuss how both OA and Reporting span across all products including WFP, ASP.NET, Silverlight, and Sitefinity.  There's no mention or implication that Reporting is inaccurately listed and requires a work-around.  Can you explain please?

Thank you for any further assistance.

Hello MWM,

 1. Maybe I have been misunderstood, Sorry if I have offended you in any way, I didn't want to say that you won't be able to learn fast Silverlight and manage to build  a nice application. I was just sharing personal opinion. If you want to migrate to Silverlight as a modern and fast spreading platform, It will not be a mistake. There is no limitation that I can think of, that can stop you from building a slick and nice looking database application using Silverlight. Databinding is fully supported including Telerik ORM OpenAccess. I can advice you to take a look at this demo application which may help you with your decision. It is using ORM Open Access and has a project you can download.

2. Although the video maybe a little bit misleading, the only way using Reporting in Silverlight application is using RadHtmlPlaceholder. More information and a sample project you can find in this blogpost. I can't see any limitation that you are using RadHtmlPlaceholder as you get the same experience as using Reporting with ASP.NET (as in fact you are using it ).

 Thank you for your interest in our Silverlight controls and I hope I have helped with your desicion.

Sincerely yours,
Boyan
the Telerik team

Boyan,

Hello and thank you for your response.  You didn't offend me at all.  I value your opinion and it was exactly what I was asking for; I simply had some clarifications and I appreciate your candor and input.

That video should definitely mention something about the need for a "work-around" even if just for educational purposes.  I am happy to hear Reporting will still work with Silverlight regardless.

I think part of my fear of not using Silverlight over ASP.NETis that I felt Silverlight would be taking over ASP.NET and that ASP.NET is gradually on its way out.  Perhaps this is a very inaccurate fear as the more I read about Silverlight vs. ASP.NET, the more I am beginning to see how different they truly are.  Sometimes I feel I'm not comparing apples to apples.

I will look at the projects you suggested.  Again, thank you for your response and valuable input.  It will serve as additional information as I continue to research the best path for me.