1. COM210 Introduction to Workflow in Windows Applications
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
COM210 Introduction to Workflow in Windows Applications
Bill Devlin
Group Program Manager
Windows Workflow Foundation
Microsoft Corporation
Paul Andrew
Technical Product Manager
Windows Workflow Foundation
Microsoft Corporation
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

2. Windows Workflow Foundation
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Windows Workflow Foundation
Bringing workflow technology to the Windows platform
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

3. Agenda Introduction to Windows Workflow Foundation Workflow basics
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Agenda
Introduction to Windows Workflow Foundation
Workflow basics
Demo: building “hello world”
Activities: the building blocks of workflows
Demo: building custom activities
More workflow features
Demo: a state machine workflow app
Wrap-up and questions
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

4. Windows Workflow Foundation
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Windows Workflow Foundation
The workflow framework & tools for Microsoft products and partner/customer ecosystem
Single workflow technology for Windows
Base for Microsoft products and ISV/customer solutions
One technology for human and system workflow scenarios
A framework for building workflow into applications
A framework to build on - not an application or server
Exposed to developers via WinFX
Brings workflow to mainstream .NET development
Transform workflow from niche to mainstream paradigm
Build strong partner & solution ecosystem
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

5. What is a workflow? A set of activities that coordinate people
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
What is a workflow?
A set of activities that coordinate people
and / or software...
Example activities….
EscalateToManager
CheckInventory
Like a flowchart….
…organized into a workflow.
Or a state diagram….
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

6. Workflow Scenario Spectrum
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Workflow Scenario Spectrum
System Workflow
Human Workflow
Participants: people, roles
Flow style: flexible, dynamic
Data: unstructured, documents
Participants: apps, services
Flow style: prescriptive, protocols
Data: structured, transactional
Business to Business
Supply Chain Mgmt…
Information Worker
Document Review…
Line of Business Apps
Quote to Cash, Sales Automation…
CRM
ERP
IT Management
New Hire Provisioning, Trouble Ticket,…
.NET Developer
Pageflow, Service Coordination…
Windows Workflow Foundation
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

7. Why Workflow Technology?
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Why Workflow Technology?
Developer Productivity
Workflows technology provides abstractions
convenient to describe real world workflows
Workflow Technology Value-Add
Long running and stateful behavior
Flexible control flow
Transparency
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

8. Why Workflow Technology?
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Why Workflow Technology?
Real World Examples
Workflow Value-Add
Long Running and Stateful
Workflows run for up to 30 days and maintain state throughout
“Orders are confirmed in
48 hours and shipped within 30 days.”
“Most suppliers
confirm our orders but some forget and we need to followup.”
Flexible Control Flow
Flexibility for people to override or skip steps in the workflow
Transparency
Rendering a visualization of next steps based on defined control flow
“What are the next steps in handling this order?”
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

9. Workflow and BizTalk Server
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
BizTalk Server
Premium BPM server
Distinct server product
Use in B2B, EAI, BPM scenarios
Deployable solutions
Manageability, Scale-out
Design
Tools
Accelerators
Business
Activity
Monitor
And
Admin
Tools
Workflow
Orchestration
Messaging
Transformation
Future version will migrate to Windows Workflow Foundation for orchestration
Adapters
Workflow framework
Exposed via WinFX
Broad set of scenarios
Used to build solutions
Enables manageability
and scale-out in solutions
Use for building workflow into apps or workflow-enabled servers
Visual Studio Designer
WinFX
Windows Workflow
Foundation
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

10. Windows Workflow Foundation
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Windows Workflow Foundation
Visual Designer
Key Concepts
Workflows are a set of Activities
A Workflow
Workflows run within a Host Process: any application or server
Developers can build their own Custom Activity Libraries
An Activity
Custom Activity Library
Components
Windows
Workflow Foundation
Base Activity Library: Out-of-box activities and base for custom activities
Base Activity Library
Runtime Engine: Workflow execution and state management
Runtime Engine
Runtime Services: Hosting flexibility and communication
Runtime Services
Visual Designer: Graphical and code-based construction
Host Process
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

11. Workflow Basics A workflow is a class
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Workflow Basics
A workflow is a class
Imports System.Workflow.Activities
Public Class MyWorkflow
Inherits SequentialWorkflow …
End Class
A workflow class may be defined in markup
<?Mapping XmlNamespace="Activities" ClrNamespace="System.Workflow.Activities" Assembly="System.Workflow.Activities" ?>
<SequentialWorkflow x:Class="MyWorkflow" xmlns="Activities" xmlns:x="Definition"> …
</SequentialWorkflow>
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

12. 7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Workflow Basics
Workflow constructor configures contained activities (like forms & controls)
Imports System.Workflow.Activities
Partial Public Class MyWorkflow
Inherits SequentialWorkflow
Public Sub New()
MyBase.New()
InitializeComponent()
End Sub
End Class
Partial Public Class MyWorkflow REM designer generated
Private Sub InitializeComponent()
Me.delay1 = New System.Workflow.Activities.Delay
Me.delay1.ID = "delay1"
Me.delay1.TimeoutDuration = System.TimeSpan.Parse("00:00:05")
Me.Activities.Add(Me.delay1)
Me.ID = "MyWorkflow"
Private WithEvents delay1 As System.Workflow.Activities.Delay
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

13. Paul Andrew Technical Product Manager Windows Workflow Foundation
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Building a Workflow
Paul Andrew
Technical Product Manager
Windows Workflow Foundation
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

14. Workflow Authoring Modes
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Workflow Authoring Modes
Markup Only
“Declarative”
Markup and
Code
Code Only
Application
Generated
C#/VB
C#/VB
App creates activity
tree and serializes
XAML
XAML
XML defines
workflow structure
logic and data flow
XML defines
workflow
Code-beside
defines extra logic
Code creates
workflow
in constructor
C#/VB
XAML
Workflow Compiler
wfc.exe
.NET assembly
ctor defines
workflow
C#/VB Compiler
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

15. Activity Basics Activities are the building blocks of workflows
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Activity Basics
Activities are the building blocks of workflows
The unit of execution, re-use and composition
Basic activities are steps within a workflow
Composite activities contains other activities EG: Sequence
Base Activity Library provides out-of-the-box activity set
Partners and customers author custom activities EG: “ApproveOrder”
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

16. Activity Basics Activities are classes:
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Activity Basics
Activities are classes:
Properties and events are defined by the activity author and programmable from workflows
Has methods that are coded by the activity author but invoked by the workflow runtime (EG: Execute) or designer
Can be built into workflow assemblies or deployed as re-usable libraries
Lets look at the code for a simple activity…
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

17. Example: A SendMail Activity
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
using System.Workflow.ComponentModel;
public partial class SendMail : System.Workflow.ComponentModel.Activity {
public SendMail() { InitializeComponent(); }
protected override Status Execute(ActivityExecutionContext context)
// my logic here to send the
return Status.Closed; }
public partial class SendMail
public string subject;
public string Subject { get { return subject; }
set { this.subject = value; } }
private void InitializeComponent() // designer generated
this.ID = "SendMail";
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

18. Activities: Optional Features
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Activities: Optional Features
Companion Classes
[Designer(typeof(MyDesigner))]
[Validator(typeof(MyValidator))]
[CodeGenerator(typeof(MyCodeGen))]
[Serializer(typeof(MySerializer))]
[ToolboxItem(typeof(MyToolboxItem))]
Designer
Validator
Serializer
Code Generator
ToolboxItem
Behaviors
[SupportsTransaction]
[SupportsExceptionHandlers]
Transactions
public class MyActivity: Activity
{ ... }
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

19. Paul Andrew Technical Product Manager Windows Workflow Foundation
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Building an Activity
Paul Andrew
Technical Product Manager
Windows Workflow Foundation
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

20. Activities: An Extensible Approach
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Activities: An Extensible Approach
Vertical-specific activities & workflows
Best-practice IP & Knowledge
Domain-Specific Workflow Packages
Compliance
RosettaNet
CRM
IT Mgmt
Base Activity
Library
Custom Activity Libraries
Compose
activities
Extend
activity
Author new
activity
Out-of-Box
Activities
OOB activities, workflow types,
base types
General-purpose
Activity libraries
define workflow
constructs
Create/Extend/ Compose activities
App-specific building blocks
First-class citizens
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

21. Workflow Execution My Application Create instance Execute until idle
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Workflow Execution
My Application
Create instance
rt.StartWorkflow(typeof(WF1));
Invoke1
WF1 Instance 1
App calls StartWorkflow(…)
Sequence 2
Instance Manager:
Loads workflow type
Creates instance
Enqueues WF1 with Scheduler
WF1
OnEvent1
Execute
MyWF.dll
Execute until idle 3
Scheduler dequeues WF1 and calls Executor (SequentialWorkflow base)
which enqueues Sequence
SequentialWorkflow
Execute
Base
Activity
Library
Sequence
Execute 4
Dequeue Sequence and call Executor
which enqueues OnEvent1
Activity
Save
Dequeue OnEvent1 and call Executor
which subscribes to event 5
Instance Manager
Persist to disk
Runtime
Engine
InstanceMgr calls Save() on WF1 (Activity base class) to serialize instance and gets back stream 6
Scheduler
WF1
Sequence
OnEvent1
Instance Mgr call Persistence service passing serialized stream - Persistence service saves to disk 7
Runtime
Services
WF1
Persistence
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

22. Base Classes and Behaviors Dynamic Update Exceptions Transactions
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Base Activity Library
System Workflow
Human Workflow
Base Activity Library
Workflow
Styles
State Machine
Workflow
Sequential
Workflow
Sequential
Control
Rules-Driven
Transactions
Out-of-box
Activities
Communications
Local and Web Services
Activity
Framework
Base Classes and Behaviors
Dynamic Update Exceptions Transactions
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

23. Flexible Control Flow Sequential Workflow State Machine Workflow
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Flexible Control Flow
Sequential Workflow
State Machine Workflow
Sequential
structure
prescribes
processing order
External
events drive
processing
order
Step1
State1
Event
State2
Step2
Event
Prescriptive, formal
Automation scenarios
Flowchart metaphor
Reactive, event-driven
Skip/re-work, exception handling
Graph metaphor
Rules-driven Activities
Rule1
Step1
Rules + data state
drive processing
order
Data
Rule2
Step2
Data-driven
Simple Conditions, complex Policies
Constrained Activity Group
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

24. Transparency at Runtime
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Transparency at Runtime
WorkflowInstance instance = Runtime.GetWorkflowInstance(…);
Accessing a running
Instance (pull model)
WorkflowInstance class
Use to determine status,
activity structure for an
instance
Runtime Engine
Scheduler
Instance
Mgr
Runtime Services
Tracking
Profile
Capturing tracking data
(push model):
Tracking profile, service
Use to record data about
instances as they execute
Use default tracking service
or supply your own
Tracking
Service
Tracking
Store
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

25. A State Machine Workflow
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
A State Machine Workflow
Paul Andrew
Technical Product Manager
Windows Workflow Foundation
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

26. Summary
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Windows Workflow Foundation delivers an extensible framework and tools for building workflow into Windows applications
Single workflow technology for Microsoft products, partners and customers
A framework to build on – not a server or application
Key features
Enables long running workflows in any application or server
Extensible activity framework
Flexible control flow: human and system workflow scenarios
Transparency at runtime
Visual designer for graphical and code-based authoring
Availability
Exposed via WinFX – powers Office “12” workflow
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

27. Windows Workflow Foundation
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Call To Action
Windows Workflow Foundation
Learn it…
Use it…
Build workflow into your applications
Make you applications more flexible and configurable
Build workflow enabled servers for other developers to target
Build custom activity libraries for others to re-use
Build solutions on top of workflow enabled products like Office “12”
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

28. Workflow Sessions Hands-on Labs! My Workflows
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
Hands-on Labs!
Introduction to Workflow in Windows Applications (COM210)
Wed 1:45 – 150/151 Hall E
My Workflows
My Custom Activity Library
Extending Workflow Capabilities With Custom Activities (COM328)
Wed 3:15 – 150/151 Hall E
Windows
Workflow Foundation
Developing Rules-Driven Workflows (COM318)
Wed 5:00 – 152/153 Hall F
Base Activity Library
State Machine Workflows
Windows SharePoint Services: Developing Custom Workflows (OFF415)
Thurs 11:30 – 408 AB
Rules-Driven Activities
Communication Activities
Developing Event-Driven State Machine Workflows (COM322)
Thurs 2:15 – 515 AB
Runtime Engine
Runtime Services
Workflow + Messaging + Services - Developing Dist’d Apps (COM325)
Thurs 3:45 – 150/151 Hall E
Windows Communication
Foundation
Hosting and Communications in Workflow Scenarios (COM327)
Thurs 5:15 – 402 AB
Windows SharePoint Services
Host Process
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

29. More Community Resources
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
More Community Resources
At PDC
12 Labs: COMHOL01-12
“Ask The Experts” tables – 4 tables and lots of experts
COM Track Lounge
After PDC
If you missed this related session, watch it on the DVD
MSDN dev center:
Windows Workflow Foundation community site
Channel 9 tag:
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

30. © 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
7/23/2018 1:38 PM
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.
© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.