Workflow Foundation is a framework for building workflow capabilities into applications. It was introduced in .NET Framework 3.0 and includes tools, components, a runtime, and pluggable services. Developers can create workflows visually using XAML or code by defining activities and connecting them. Custom activities can also be built by overriding the Execute method. The framework provides a component model that allows workflows to be hosted in a process and run by workflow services.

1. Windows Workflow Foundation Mike Taulty Developer & Platform Group Microsoft Ltd [email_address] http://www.mtaulty.com

2. .NET Framework V3.0 Released in 2006 Framework (Some) Tools Platforms Server 2003 Sp1 Server 2008 Vista XP Sp2 V3.5 coming with VS2008

3. Framework V3.0 introduces XAML

4. Declarative Development - XAML eXtensible Application Markup Language XAML usage Compiled to produce executable code Dynamically loaded (parsed or pre-parsed) Calculator c = new Calculator(); Multiply m = new Multiply(); m.P1 = 10; m.P2 = 20; c.Operations.Add(m) Code <Calculator> <Operations> <Multiply P1=“10” P2=“20”/> </Operations> </Calculator> XAML

5. Workflow is a framework

6. Workflow Foundation Tools Components Runtime Services For building “workflow” into your own apps

7. Building, running Workflows

8. Workflow Foundation Designer Components Activity Activity Activity Activity “ Workflow Definition” (XAML, Code, Custom)

9. Workflow Foundation “ Workflow Definition” (XAML, Code, Custom) Host Process Services (Pluggable) Runtime

10. Custom Activities are key

11. Building your own Activities Activity System.Workflow.ComponentModel.Activity Property Property Property override Execute() { // Do your work return( status ); }

12. The Activity component model

13. Summary Workflow Foundation Framework for building workflow capabilities into your own applications Tools, Components, Runtime, Pluggable Services Released with .NET Framework V3.0 Server 2003 Sp1, Server 2008, Vista, XP Sp2 Updates coming in .NET Framework V3.5

14. Resources www.netfx3.com Slides and code from this talk at mtaulty.com/downloads/vbug08.zip

15. MSDN in the UK Visit http://msdn.co.uk Newsletter Events Nugget Videos Blogs