When should I look for Silverlight and when is XNA?

Question

I have little knowledge about the development of Windows Phone 7 . I know that there are two ways to develop applications. Silverlight or XNA . Before starting, I would like to know which Silverlight scripts are the best choice, and for which applications it makes sense to use XNA ?

Answer 1

Silverlight is designed to create applications. Thus, it includes a saved graphical model (redrawing is performed for you) and a wide range of user interface elements, including both interactive controls and controls that execute layout logic.

XNA is designed to create games. Thus, it includes an immediate graphical model (you have to make each frame) and convenient features for the game, such as a content pipeline for importing graphics and supporting low-level sound.

There is nothing to stop you from using Silverlight for games and XNA for applications, but if you have no good reason to switch it, you will come across a map trying to do simple things.

Neil Knight mentioned that you can use them in Mango, although the mix uses XNA in the Silverlight application, and not vice versa.

Answer 2

Microsoft provided a convenient schedule only for this type of question :)

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff402528(v=VS.92).aspx

Use slider if

• You need a XAML-based application infrastructure.
• You need to quickly create a Rich Internet Application user interface.
• You want to use Windows Phone controls.
• You want to embed the video in your application.
• You want to use the HTML web browser control.

Use XNA if

• You need a high-performance gaming environment.
• You need to quickly create multi-screen 2D and 3D games.
• You want to manage artistic assets such as models, grids, sprites, textures, effects, landscapes, or animations in XNA content content.

Combine Silverlight and XNA if

• You want an event-driven XAML-based application to integrate with a high-performance game card.
• You want to create a multi-screen 2D or 3D game that includes the Rich Internet Application user interface.
• You want to use Windows Phone controls along with art attributes such as models, grids, sprites, textures, effects, landscapes, or animations in XNA content content.
• You want to use Silverlight text rendering, including international text, instead of sprite fonts.
• You need a Silverlight application page navigation model combined with the rich graphical power of the XNA Framework application.

Answer 3

Silverlight has a rich set of objects for building 2 interfaces, especially two-dimensional interfaces consisting of text, buttons, images. This is great for displaying data and receiving data.

XNA is designed to create games or simulations, in particular 3, and gives you access to the device at a level somewhat close to hardware. XNA lacks the objects that Silverlight does, but you get the flexibility to do more interesting things if you waste time.

You can find this post useful later.