How do I choose between WCF, REST, POX and RIA services for a new Silverlight application

Question

There a lot of different ways a Silverlight application can connect back to it’ server. Including

• WCF - Windows Communication Foundation

Answer 1

We use RIA, and that's the only one of the options that I know, but I do know it, so here's some of my thoughts.

RIA isn't finished yet. It is being worked on. If you are planning to be finished soon, and you're worried about having to support something that has a potential to change quite a bit, then you might want to consider other options. If this is a new project, and you're going to be supporting it for a long time, RIA will probably get easier to use.

Having said that, I kind of think that there won't be many changes in the way the July Preview of RIA works and the way that a finished version will work. Also the level of support seems to suggest that this will become "The Way" to talk to a server in Silverlight.

Just cause it's worth mentioning, have some links:

http://blogs.msdn.com/brada/ Brad Abrams has an example that he is continually updating.

http://forums.silverlight.net/forums/53.aspx this is where you go to ask questions.

http://www.riaservicesblog.com/Blog/ Colin Blair knows his stuff, and he is very helpful.