Datasheet

During runtime, you can query the status and overall general health of workflows. The tracking
features of Windows Workflow Foundation also enable you to log information to a persistent
medium for later inspection. Finally, and very important, you can modify workflows built on
this platform even during runtime. This provides for extremely flexible workflow scenarios.
Aside from the features related to workflow tenets, Windows Workflow Foundation supports both
ordered and event-driven workflows. The ordered workflow is implemented as a
sequential workflow
(as depicted in Figure 1-7), and the event-driven workflow is implemented at a
state machine (as depicted
in Figure 1-8).
Figure 1-7
Who Should Care About Windows Workflow Foundation?
The following sections describe those who should consider using Windows Workflow Foundation and
why. (This is by no means an exhaustive list.)
.NET Developers
The majority of people who can benefit from using Windows Workflow Foundation on a day-to-day
basis are .NET developers. Just like it is a good idea to use the latest version of ASP.NET and SQL Server,
boning up on workflow can add to your value as a software professional.
16
Chapter 1: An Introduction to Workflow and Windows Workflow Foundation
04_053867 ch01.qxp 2/20/07 2:40 PM Page 16