Additional Silverlight Development Tools
In addition to Visual Studio, Blend and Design, here are some additional tools which you may wish to
download. These tools are both free of charge, and can be very helpful when you wish to explore the syntax
of Silverlight XAML. These tools are .NET applications, which require you to install .NET 3.0/3.5 on the
client machine.
Kaxaml (pronounced “ka-zam-el”) is a free XAML parser desktop application. You can download this tool
from www.kazaml.com. This tool allows you to enter markup, and view the results. Kaxaml supports
IntelliSense, code snippets, and SL 2.0 support.
XamlPadX is a Microsoft tool, similar in functionality to Kaxaml. Do a google search for “XamlPadX” to find
the download link. XamlPadX has additional features, such as the ability to view the underlying ‘visual tree’
which is used to render the output.
In your first lab, you will have a chance to build a custom XAML parser using Silverlight 2.0. This web plug-
in will allow you to enter XAML markup, and view the contents in a dynamically generated UserControl.
This will not only give you hands on experience regarding the syntax of XAML, but will also show you how
to parse XAML at runtime, as well as how to create UserControls (or any control) dynamically.
Be aware that Kaxaml, XamlPadX and the custom XAML parser you will create can only be used to view
rendered markup. None of these tools can be used to test event handlers. For example, you could not test the
handling of a Button’s Click event. Specifically, any XAML syntax that requires code compilation (x:Class,
event handlers, etc) will cause parsing errors.
In addition to Visual Studio, Blend and Design, here are some additional tools which you may wish to
download. These tools are both free of charge, and can be very helpful when you wish to explore the syntax
of Silverlight XAML. These tools are .NET applications, which require you to install .NET 3.0/3.5 on the
client machine.
Kaxaml (pronounced “ka-zam-el”) is a free XAML parser desktop application. You can download this tool
from www.kazaml.com. This tool allows you to enter markup, and view the results. Kaxaml supports
IntelliSense, code snippets, and SL 2.0 support.
XamlPadX is a Microsoft tool, similar in functionality to Kaxaml. Do a google search for “XamlPadX” to find
the download link. XamlPadX has additional features, such as the ability to view the underlying ‘visual tree’
which is used to render the output.
In your first lab, you will have a chance to build a custom XAML parser using Silverlight 2.0. This web plug-
in will allow you to enter XAML markup, and view the contents in a dynamically generated UserControl.
This will not only give you hands on experience regarding the syntax of XAML, but will also show you how
to parse XAML at runtime, as well as how to create UserControls (or any control) dynamically.
Be aware that Kaxaml, XamlPadX and the custom XAML parser you will create can only be used to view
rendered markup. None of these tools can be used to test event handlers. For example, you could not test the
handling of a Button’s Click event. Specifically, any XAML syntax that requires code compilation (x:Class,
event handlers, etc) will cause parsing errors.
Additional Silverlight Development Tools
Table of Contents
Copyright (c) 2008. Intertech, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is to be used exclusively as an
online learning aid. Any attempts to copy, reproduce, or use for training is strictly prohibited.
online learning aid. Any attempts to copy, reproduce, or use for training is strictly prohibited.
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Courseware
Training Resources
Tutorials
