Apr 22, 2011 09:05 GMT  ·  By

An update to the software development kit for Silverlight 4 was released earlier this month by Microsoft.

Developers can head over to the Microsoft Download Center and download Silverlight 4 SDK - April 2011 Update.

The SDK is designed to provide developers with a range of resources including libraries and tools, making it easier for them to build Silverlight applications.

Despite all the recent Silverlight 5 related talk, it’s still the best course of action for developers to leverage Silverlight 4, at least for the time being.

According to the software giant, the latest refresh to the SDK is also designed to update the Silverlight 4 Tools for Visual Studio 2010.

Of course, at the same time, devs also need to stay one step ahead, and in this regard, it might be a very good idea for them to take Silverlight 5 out for a spin.

The first beta development milestone of Silverlight 5 was released at MIX11 this month, and a variety of downloads are already available to testers.

Early adopters can grab the Silverlight 5 Beta Developer Runtime for Windows as well as the Silverlight 5 Beta Developer Runtime for Mac, but also additional resources.

Microsoft is also offering Silverlight 5 Beta Tools for Visual Studio SP1, the Silverlight 5 Beta SDK and the WCF RIA Services for Silverlight 5 Beta.

Silverlight 5 is expected to hit RTW in the second half of 2011, although, the Redmond company has yet to provide a specific release to web deadline.

Still, the software giant has kept a steady pace of Silverlight releases over the course of the past few years, and there are no indications pointing that the fifth version of the technology won’t be offered to users this year.

Silverlight 4 SDK - April 2011 Update is available for download here.

Silverlight 5 Beta Developer Runtime for Windows is available for download here.

Silverlight 5 Beta Developer Runtime for Mac is available for download here.

Microsoft Silverlight 5 Beta Tools for Visual Studio 2010 Service Pack 1 is available for download here.

Expression Blend Preview for Silverlight 5 is available for download here.

The Silverlight 5 Beta SDK is available for download here.

WCF RIA Services for Silverlight 5 Beta are available for download here.