Rich Internet Applications and their role in Web Development - Rich internet applications have made the internet extremely responsive and attractive to visitors. No wonder that they are in constant demand by clients worldwide!
Rich Internet Applications and their role in Web Development
By John Monatta
Apr 23, 2012 - 4:37:34 AM
Rich Internet
applications feature an interface that is extremely responsive
compared to traditional applications. Many of the frameworks which
are used to build rich internet applications involve more processing
to the client server than the centralized server. The user's browser
sends small pieces of data one at a time in asynchronous mode. Hence
only relevant pieces of information are sent and updated, after which
the traditional web applications follow suit. Hence web development
companies prefer to use RIAs for providing an optimal experience to
the user.
The best known frameworks
for developing rich Internet applications are Flex, AJAX, and
Microsoft Silverlight. Let us have further insight into each one of
these.
Flex stands tall with the
largest market share compared to any other framework. It boasts of a
penetration of around 90 percent which is quite difficult to achieve
for Silverlight. Flash was originally designed for multimedia
management and hence most internet browsers support its plugin. It is
also freely available and runs easily. Flex can also enable a website
to perform as a thick client application too.
But there are cons
involved too. Not all browsers have Flash installed and versions also
change from time to time. The user is required to download the new
version if the webpage requires it. Some see this part as a drawback
since those users who are not allowed to download it will
automatically navigate away from that web page.
Microsoft Silverlight on
the other hand was created to compete with Flex and with other RIA
frameworks. Silverlight is based on .NET technology and is part of
Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF). Microsoft Silverlight offers a
lightweight version of .NET which runs in a browser sandbox.
Silverlight is not
currently in as much as use as Flex so chances are that users would
ignore the page totally if they are required to download the
necessary plug in. Yet, Microsoft Silverlight is extremely appealing
for .NET developers who are into web development from some years.
Since .NET is already well known all over the web development world,
Silverlight Development has the chance to grab market share in the
near future.
AJAX stands for
Asynchronous JavaScript and XML which is gaining acceptance and is
making its web presence felt. AJAX gives the developer the ability to
create pages which are like thick clients. Those who understand
JavaScript language can use AJAX. Not all browsers use JavaScript
well and users have the choice to disable it completely.
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