LightSwitch Compatibility Pack enables legacy Visual Studio LightSwitch applications to run in modern browsers. Credit: arda savasciogullari / Shutterstock Userware has released OpenSilver 2.2, an update to the company’s open-source replacement for Microsoft’s Silverlight rich internet application framework. This release lets legacy Visual Studio LightSwitch applications run on modern browsers via a compatibility pack. OpenSilver 2.2 and the LightSwitch Compatibility Pack were announced April 30. Developers can download OpenSilver 2.2 and sign up for a trial of LightSwitch Compatibility Pack. With the Userware updates, Lightswitch applications can be ported without rewriting them. Discontinuation of the Silverlight plugin, which powered LightSwitch apps, presented enterprises with the dilemma of overhauling existing applications or risking operational failure, Userware said. The compatibility pack allows these applications to transition smoothly to modern web technologies such as HTML5 and WebAssembly. Migrating a LightSwitch application is done by copying generated files from an existing LightSwitch project, then importing these files into a new OpenSilver project in the latest version of Visual Studio. By referencing the compatibility pack NuGet package in a project, developers then can compile the application’s front end into static files. These are then deployed across any web hosting environment. In addition to unveiling OpenSilver 2.2, Userware offered a roadmap for OpenSilver. Planned features includea drag-and-drop XAML UI designer, .NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI) integration, and support for XAML Hot Reload, CLI, Visual Studio Code, and Rider. Microsoft’s .NET MAUI framework enables the development of applications that can run across iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows platforms. OpenSilver 2.2 follows the February release of OpenSilver 2.1, which added support for the F# programming language. Related content analysis Beyond the usual suspects: 5 fresh data science tools to try today The mid-month report includes quick tips for easier Python installation, a new VS Code-like IDE just for Python and R users, and five newer data science tools you won't want to miss. By Serdar Yegulalp Jul 12, 2024 2 mins Python Programming Languages Software Development analysis Generative AI won’t fix cloud migration You’ve probably heard how generative AI will solve all cloud migration problems. It’s not that simple. Generative AI could actually make it harder and more costly. By David Linthicum Jul 12, 2024 5 mins Generative AI Artificial Intelligence Cloud Computing news HR professionals trust AI recommendations HireVue survey finds 73% of HR professionals trust AI to make candidate recommendations, while 75% of workers are opposed to AI making hiring decisions. By Paul Krill Jul 11, 2024 3 mins Technology Industry Careers how-to Safety off: Programming in Rust with `unsafe` What does it mean to write unsafe code in Rust, and what can you do (and not do) with the 'unsafe' keyword? The facts may surprise you. By Serdar Yegulalp Jul 11, 2024 8 mins Rust Programming Languages Software Development Resources Videos