This video series will help beginner Silverlight developers understand what Silverlight is, and when to use it. We’ll start with the basics and work our way up, helping you develop a complete understanding of Silverlight 4 and how it’s used to create visually stimulating, interactive applications.

This series is organized into 5 days’ worth of material:

Day 1

SL1_01_01 – Introduction to Silverlight 4

This video provides an introduction to Silverlight, and what it can (and can’t) do. Additionally, we’ll discuss how Silverlight relates to other programming technologies.

SL1_01_02 – Installing Visual Web Developer 2010 Express Edition

In this short video, we’ll show you how to easily download and install Visual Web Developer 2010 Express Edition for use with your Silverlight applications.

SL1_01_03 – Installing Silverlight 4 Tools for Visual Studio 2010

In this short video, we’ll show you how to easily download and install the latest Silverlight 4 tools to your existing Visual Studio software.

SL1_01_04 – Silverlight Hello World Application

In this video, we’ll see our first Silverlight application. We’ll create a simple “Hello World” application that we’ll use throughout the remainder of Day 1 to help us understand how Silverlight actually works.

SL1_01_05 – Silverlight Tools in the Visual Studio IDE

In this video, we’ll discuss the tools included in the Visual Studio IDE specifically used for Silverlight applications. We’ll cover the Designer and XAML panes, the .XAP file name, application library caching, Silverlight manifest files, the WCF RIA Services link and more.

SL1_01_06 – Overview of the Silverlight 4 Project Templates

In this video we’ll discuss the Silverlight project templates available in Visual Studio, including Silverlight Application, Silverlight Class Library, Silverlight Business Application, Silverlight Navigation Application, and WCF RIA Services Class Library.

SL1_01_07 – Understanding Silverlight Test Page Options

In this video we’ll discuss the testpage.html file that’s generated for us automatically to host Silverlight applications, and how we can edit and save changes to the default settings.

SL1_01_08 – Silverlight Application Lifecycle

In the eighth video in this series, Bob reviews the Silverlight Application Lifecycle and why it’s important. Bob examines the sequence of events that occurs when a webpage references your Silverlight application, including how the plugin is loaded, how it performs a version check on the end user’s machine, and the specific core features that are launched.

SL1_01_09 – Dissecting a Silverlight Project

In the ninth video in this series, Bob dissects a Silverlight project and explains how the commands you create were turned into the Hello World application seen in the browser. You’ll understand how XAML is used to lay out your silverlight applications, how XAML uses the UserControl class, and more.

SL1_01_10 – XAML Basics Part 1

In the tenth video in this series, Bob expands the previous discussion on XAML by reviewing XAML nuances.

Day 2

SL1_02_01 – Understanding Layout

In the first video for Day 02, Bob gives you a history lesson on layout and explains how that affects programming today. You’ll also learn the three approaches to layout via the stack panel, grid and canvas controls, and you’ll learn the important factors in sizing your applications.

SL1_02_02 – Understanding the Stack Panel Control

In the second video for Day 02, Bob explores the Stack Panel Control, the first of three layout panels that will be explored. Learn how to use the Stack Panel Control while building data-centric applications in conjunction with the Grid Panel, and how this piece fits into the larger picture of overall form creation.

SL1_02_03 – Understanding the Grid Control

In the third video for Day 02, Bob explores the Grid Control. The Grid Control is the second of three layout panels in this series, and is used in conjunction with the Stack Panel Control discussed in the previous video.

SL1_02_04 – Using the IDE to Develop the Grid

In the fourth video for Day 02, Bob continues to explore the topic of layout in Silverlight. In this lesson Bob explains the techniques and tools available through the IDE.

SL1_02_05 – The GridSplitter Control

In Day 02 Video 05, Bob demonstrates the GridSplitter control. This control will allow your users even more flexibility in how they interact with an application’s user interface by creating a handle between rows or columns for resizing purposes.

SL1_02_06 – Understanding the Canvas Panel

In Day 02′s sixth video, Bob introduces the Canvas Panel. This is the third control used to position controls within Silverlight applications. Bob shows how the Canvas Panel is used, and discusses common uses in current applications.

SL1_02_07 – The Border Control

In the seventh video for Day 02, Bob shows how to add a border around panels and controls.

SL1_02_08 – Working with the TextBlock

In the eighth video for Day 02, Bob begins a series of videos on the major Silverlight controls. In this first controls video Bob demonstrates the TextBlock control and it’s related functionality, as well as how to set and retrieve the primary properties in C# at runtime.

SL1_02_09 – Working with the Image Control

In the ninth video for Day 02, Bob continues covering controls with the Image control. This tool is used to control the display of bitmap and vector image formats in Silverlight applications.

SL1_02_10 – Working with the Button Control

In the final video for Day 02, Bob continues with controls and the Button control. Learn how to define an event and navigate to the code-behind from the XAML editor and more.

Day 3

SL1_03_01 – Defining and Handling Events in Silverlight

In the first video for Day 03, Bob demonstrates three techniques to define events and handle events raised by Silverlight controls.

SL1_03_02 – Working with the TextBox Control

In this video Bob reviews a project that highlights the major TextBox properties, including how to monitor both user and programmatic selection, copy and paste, wrapping attributes, return attributes and more.

SL1_03_03 – Working with the CheckBox and RadioButton Controls

In the third video for Day 03, Bob demonstrates how to use the CheckBox for yes, no or unknown responses. Bob also discusses the RadioButton and two techniques to programmatically retrieve values, both individually and as a group.

SL1_03_04 – Working with the ScrollViewer Control

In the fourth video for Day 03, Bob continues with common Silverlight Controls and the ScrollViewer control. Bob creates two examples to demonstrate how the ScrollViewer is used to create a view into objects that fall outside a visible area’s boundaries.

SL1_03_05 – Working with the ViewBox Control

In this video, Bob demonstrates a simple way to scale everything within the context of the ViewBox.

SL1_03_06 – Working with the ListBox and ComboBox Controls

In this video Bob explains the differences between a ListBox and a ComboBox, and demonstrates how to use both in order to offer a user the ability to select from a pre-determined set of values.

SL1_03_07 – Working with Fonts and Text

In this video Bob explores how to work with fonts and text in Silverlight, including the nine built-in fonts as well as how to add additional fonts for end users.

SL1_03_08 – Working with Brushes

In this video Bob demonstrates how to use both simple and complex brushes to work with solid colors, gradient colors, images and more.

SL1_03_09 – Working with XAML Resources

In this video Bob demonstrates how to extract a linear gradient brush or fill, in order to use it multiple times throughout a current user control or Silverlight project.

SL1_03_10 – Working with Styles

In this video, Bob shows how to work with styles to define and enforce multiple property values at the same time.

SL1_03_11 – Creating Merged Resource Dictionaries

In this video, Bob demonstrates the next step in defining resources and styles. By creating merged resource dictionaries, the resources are extracted out to external files that can then be referenced from within the project. Those same external files will also be placed into their own class library, where they can be referenced from other projects as well.

Day 4

SL1_04_01 – Navigating by Dynamically Loading User Controls

Day 04 will begin creating more complex, real-world applications using multiple Silverlight controls and pages. In this video, Bob explains the two basic navigation options in Silverlight and demonstrates how to navigate by dynamically loading user controls.

SL1_04_02 – Implementing a Simple Navigation Helper Method

Day 04′s second video continues the previous video, and demonstrates another way to load user controls into a container as a form of navigation. This video demonstrates a new technique that will implement a static method, called GoTo, to handle loading the user control into the container which can then be called from anywhere within the application.

SL1_04_03 – Using the Navigation Framework’s Frame and Page Objects

In this video Bob demonstrates how to use the navigation framework to enable navigation between pages within a Silverlight application. The navigation framework was added in Silverlight 3.0 and allows a more fine-tuned control over navigation, as well as browser integration.

SL1_04_04 – Navigating with the HyperlinkButton Control

Bob briefly demonstrates the use of the HyperlinkButton Control. The functionality is slightly different when used inside a frame or outside a frame; Bob demonstrates an example of each option.

SL1_04_05 – Pasing Data Between Navigation Pages

In Day 04′s fifth video, Bob demonstrates two separate techniques that can be used to pass data between pages.

SL1_04_06 -Manipulating URIs with URI Mappings

In this video, Bob demonstrates how to use URI mapping to enable deep linking within Silverlight applications in order to provide a friendly, memorable URL to the end user.

SL1_04_07 -Managing State Between Pages

In this video, Bob demonstrates how to persist data between pages in order to prevent a user from inadvertently losing data.

SL1_04_08 – Using Silverlight Child Windows for Modal Dialogs

In this video, Bob demonstrates how to use the modal dialog in Silverlight to send an alert to the end user, as well as to require a decision or other information.

SL1_04_09 – Overview of the Silverlight Navigation Application Project Template

In this video, Bob takes a second look at the Silverlight Navigation Application Project Template from Day 01. Now that you know more about Silverlight, you’re better able to see how the Silverlight Navigation Application works, and even customize the template to suit your specific requirements.

SL1_04_10 – Saving and Retrieving Data in Isolated Local Storage

In this video, Bob explains how to take advantage of isolated local storage in silverlight. Isolated local storage is a protected area on user’s hard drive where an application’s developer can save text, images and other data necessary for the application.

Day 5

SL1_05_01 – Embedding Binary Resources in the Application Assembly

The Day 05 lessons will deal largely with deployment issues. In this lesson, Bob explains how to embed binary resources such as images, music and video, and where to place them in order to best deploy them to a web server. You’ll learn the various deployment options and the ramifications for each option.

SL1_05_02 – Embedding Binary Resources in the Application Package

In this video, Bob demonstrates how to perform a different build action in order to add a given resource file into a deployment package without adding it to the assembly itself. You’ll also understand why this distinction is important, and the advantage of deploying this way.

SL1_05_03 – Downloading Binary Resources from the Internet

In this video, Bob demonstrates how to reference an image or other resource that’s not compiled into the assembly or package, but instead is pulled directly from the internet or other network storage location.

SL1_05_04 – Creating and Using a Silverlight Class Library

In this video, Bob demonstrates a fourth option to deploy Silverlight projects and resources. You’ll learn how to create a Silverlight class library, put the resource in the library and then retrieve and display the resource. You’ll also learn of the other benefits available through the use of Silverlight class libraries, and how they can be used.

SL1_05_05 – Downloading Silverlight Assemblies on Demand

Continuing on with deployment topics in Silverlight, this video demonstrates how to dynamically download an assembly on demand, reference it and use it in your application. This technique allows you to separate out infrequently used features or components of your Silverlight application to reduce the overall size of the initial Silverlight application (until it is absolutely needed).

SL1_05_06 – Cached Assemblies in Silverlight

Finishing up with Silverlight deployment topics, this video demonstrates how to enable assembly caching, requiring the creation of a strong name using Visual Studio’s Strong Name tool (sn.exe) and added an extmap XML file as well as setting the appropriate settings in the main Silverlight application.

SL1_05_07 – Enabling Full-Screen Mode

This simple video demonstrates how to enable full-screen mode in your application and discusses the issues related to keyboard input and how to mitigate loss of focus by alt-tabbing (and what you can and can’t do about it).

SL1_05_08 – Handling Mouse Events in Silverlight

This video demonstrates how to use mouse events by creating the beginnings of a tile-game allowing you to build associations between rectangles utilizing mouseenter, mousedown, mouseup, working with the right-mouse button, handling events so they do not bubble, and more.

SL1_05_09 – Handling Keyboard Events in Silverlight

This video demonstrates how to handle keyboard events like keydown and keyup, how to check which key was selected as well as key modifiers (like shift and control) and other issues related to running Silverlight applications on other devices (with specialized keyboards).

SL1_05_10 – Element to Element Binding

This final video of the Silverlight Level 1 series demonstrates how to declaratively one-way and two-way bind properties of one control to another and how this forms the basis for more complex topics like data binding, MVVM and more.