Retrieve current user login in Sharepoint from a Silverlight application

Question

Is it possible to retrieve the current user login used on sharepoint from an embedded Silverlight 4 application?

Answer 1

On SharePoint 2010

Use client object model (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/microsoft.sharepoint.client.web.currentuser.aspx).

Something like:

public void DoStuff()
{
    ClientContext clientContext = ClientContext.Current;

    clientContext.Load(clientContext.Web, s => s.CurrentUser);
    clientContext.ExecuteQueryAsync((sender, args) => {
        var currentUser = clientContext.Web.CurrentUser;
    }, null);
}

On SharePoint 2007

Unfortunatly, the client object model does not exist on SP2007. What I did before is this:

• Use JQuery SPServices lib to get what I need (http://spservices.codeplex.com/wikipage?title=$().SPServices.SPGetCurrentUser&referringTitle=Documentation)
• Pass it to my Silverlight application using SL / JS bridge

I guess there is a WebService you can use directly to Silverlight, but I don't know one on the top of my head.

Answer 2

You can use Object models as long as you stay on the Silverlight application within your box. If you want to work in a site located in someone else's system. Then Object Model wont work. Try using Sharepoint's native webservices.

Take a look at Authentication.asmx's Login Method for Forms Authenticated site. You should find it here http://server/site/_vti_bin/Authentication.asmx (look at this sample site http://www.wssdemo.com/Pages/_vti_bin/Authentication.asmx )

For windows authenticated site, you will need to look at NetworkCredentials for getting the current user credentials.