Resources

• Resources
  Silverlight application is actually a package of files that's archived using ZIP compression and stored as a single file, with the extension .xap.
• In a simple application, the XAP file has little more than a manifest (which list the files your project uses) and your application assembly. However, there's something else you can place in the XAP file—resources.
• A XAP resource is a distinct file that you want to make available to your compiled application.
  Examples include graphical assets—images, sounds, and video files that you want to display in your user interface.
  · In the application assembly. The resource file is embedded in the compiled DLL file for your project, such as SilverlightApplication1.dll.
  · In the application package. The resource file is placed in the XAP file alongside your application assembly. It's still just as easy to deploy, but now it's a bit easier to manage, because you replace or modify your assets by editing the XAP file, without compiling your application.
  · On the site of origin. The resource file is placed on the website alongside your XAP file.
  Example, you can use images in ordinary HTML web pages, or make videos available for easy downloading. You can reduce the size of the initial XAP download, which is important if the resources are large.