Silverlight was a discontinued application framework created by Microsoft for cross-platform development of rich internet applications (RIAs). Think of it as a lightweight version of WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) that could run in web browsers. It allowed developers to create visually appealing and interactive applications similar to Flash, but using the .NET framework.

Here[SQ]s a breakdown of its key features and why it[SQ]s no longer relevant :

Key Features (past tense because it[SQ]s discontinued):

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Cross-platform compatibility:

While primarily associated with Windows, Silverlight was also supported on Mac OS X and some mobile platforms (though with limitations).
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Rich user interface (UI):

It offered advanced UI capabilities including animations, graphics, and media playback, allowing for sophisticated interactive applications.
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.NET framework integration:

Developers could leverage their existing .NET skills and libraries to build Silverlight applications.
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XAML-based:

Like WPF, it used Extensible Application Markup Language (XAML) for defining the UI, making it declarative and easier to manage.
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Media support:

Excellent for streaming video and audio content.

Why it[SQ]s discontinued:

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Rise of HTML5:

The emergence and widespread adoption of HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript provided similar functionality without the need for a separate plugin. HTML5[SQ]s native capabilities largely replaced the need for Silverlight. Browsers incorporated features that were once unique selling points of Silverlight.
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Lack of mobile support:

Silverlight[SQ]s mobile support was limited and never truly caught up to native mobile development platforms like iOS and Android.
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Microsoft[SQ]s focus shift:

Microsoft shifted its focus to web technologies based on HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript, making further investment in Silverlight unsustainable.

In short, Silverlight was a significant player in its time but became obsolete as web technologies evolved and surpassed its capabilities. Any applications built using Silverlight are now largely legacy systems requiring alternative solutions or modernization.