Options for HTML technologies in an application designed for managing enterprise metadata

Challenge

We are facing the decision of determining which technologies to adopt as we transition from a rich client Silverlight application to an HTML-based client that can accommodate a metadata driven approach.

Situation

  • Our enterprise has been using a Silverlight application for over 6 years, with a two-layer architecture where the Silverlight rich client communicates directly with the server backend. A significant portion of our business logic is executed within the Silverlight framework.
  • Historically, we have predominantly utilized Microsoft technologies.
  • Our team has limited experience with modern web development.
  • We are overwhelmed by the various technologies available for building contemporary web applications.
  • We have explored options like Angular 1 and 2, Kendo UI, among others.
  • Our entire system operates on metadata-driven principles, encompassing schema, business logic, views, and more.

Critical Criteria

  1. The solution must be metadata driven, allowing for dynamic creation and utilization of views and data models at runtime rather than compile time. Many JavaScript libraries lack support for this feature, assuming pre-defined views and data models.
  2. We require a dynamic and responsive client capable of triggering server interactions based on changes in field values, enabling real-time updates, styling modifications, dialog prompts, and DOM manipulations.
  3. If feasible, we seek an easy migration path from Silverlight, recognizing the challenges posed by our specific requirements.
  4. A long-term commitment is essential, as we aim to invest in stable and reliable technologies for at least five years, avoiding volatility and risk.<

Conclusion

We are seeking advice on selecting appropriate technologies and development methodologies that align with our unique needs and constraints.

javascriptsilverlightwebmetadataenterprise

Answer №1

There are several approaches you can take when considering this.

To begin with, there is the concept of Depth vs Breadth. If your goal is to have in-depth experiences while also reaching a broad audience, you may find yourself chasing after the Technical Unicorn (which has led many people astray in the past). It's important to understand that each choice comes with its own set of challenges, but what matters most is where you can attract users and how you can influence them. While some may prioritize breadth for fear of missing out on mobile coverage, the development costs and actual usage could prove otherwise.

Once you've made a decision on this, it will help guide you in choosing the appropriate technology.

For a broader reach: Web or Xamarin seem like suitable options. Xamarin, however, requires proficiency in generating dynamic UIs, especially as Xamarin Forms moves towards XAML implementation. Despite the shift away from Silverlight/WPF XAML, Xamarin remains a solid choice with its unique features.

If you're coming from a Silverlight background, a web framework like AngularJS might be more familiar to you. Its MVVM binding style aligns well with Microsoft technologies, and you'll benefit from a strong community support system.

For a deeper focus: WPF is a reliable option worth considering. As long as Windows XP to Windows 10 remain in use, WPF will continue to serve its purpose. While there may not be significant additions to its codebase in the future, the existing infrastructure offers stability and compatibility across different Windows versions.

In retrospect of the Silverlight/WPF era, we underestimated the enduring appeal of WPF. Despite being deemed "old tech" by Microsoft, WPF has shown steady growth and garnered a dedicated community following. This suggests that choosing WPF could lead to better support and resources compared to other technologies.

While the new Microsoft SDKs are enticing, keep in mind that anything below Windows 8 may limit your desktop application reach.

I hope this helps clarify things for you.

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