Decision between Silverlight vs JAVAScript

[SatishSadanandam]

Hi,

I am a database administrator trying to get a viewer for my company. I am confused to make a decision between ArcGIS API Silverlight viewer and ArcGIS API for JAVAScript.

I will be requesting someone to develop some basic tools which suites my company needs and maintain that.

Currently my needs are very basic tools and link with some external databases. The application will be used within my organization....

I like the Silverlight viewer interface, but the downside is... Microsoft may stop supporting Silverlight after some time....Plus, it is not suppported in other platforms such as IOS....

Currently my field crew is using regular tough book with IE and we may use any IOS platform in the next 3 or 4 years...

Please advice...

Thanks,
Satish

[TomMagdaleno]

Hi Satish,
  Long time no hear from!  We are using the Silverlight viewer in the City of Camarillo.  It is stable and relatively easy to customize and program.  But if you are going to hire someone to do it for you and they are comfortable doing it in Java then by all means let them do it in Java.  For us it came down to the add-ins we wanted to use and features of Silverlight that were not available in other viewers.  Last I heard silverlight will be supported for many years into the future, at least until 2018.

[SatishSadanandam]

Hi Tom,

Good to hear from you!.. Thanks for your suggestions.