Difference Between Ajax and Microsoft Silverlight
Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is a set of methods of web development that is used to develop interactive web pages. Microsoft Silverlight is a free plug-in of different browsers that enables interactive multimedia experiences and good business applications. Both of them give a better multimedia and business experience to enhance extreme user experiences.
Ajax is a programming model compatible with HTML, JavaScript and XML, refers to asynchronous java script and xml and is used to make applications that will run in directly in the users’ browser. At first it was used mostly with the Microsoft Internet Explorer but it was further upgraded so that it can work with other common browsers as well. The most vital point of difference between Ajax and HTML is that Ajax does not need a plug-in and allows applications to work directly. The applications can also work embedded within the browser itself. Ajax makes use of an engine that helps in interaction between the browser and the user. This allows different portions of the page to be updated without the need to reload the entire page every time. Ajax is available in the communities of open source nature.
Silverlight is a technology based on the MS .NET framework and is called as Microsoft Silverlight. You get it as a eexperience. It is also available in browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Apple Safari. Its cross platform and cross browser ability has given software developers around the world the liberty to create and include applications using Silverlight into the browser. It is also a big deviation on the part of Microsoft who allowed their software to run on the platform of their competitor. Silverlight 4.0 was released in 2010 with features such as webcam support, microphone and its integration with the Google Chrome browser.
Ajax is a concept rather than being an actual technology and is widely used within the Internet Explorer whereas Silverlight being a cross platform and cross browser gets integrated more easily into the operating system world and online communities. Ajax is open source code whoever Silverlight is a Microsoft product and has been used to gain an edge over its competitors like Apple and Google by facilitating full integration into their applications. Silverlight aims online content of the social media on the web using images and videos while Ajax is a tool for interactive applications from the browser.