Windows Workflow Foundation - Workflow Foundation Versions

Workflow Foundation Versions

• Workflow Foundation was first released in Version 3 of the .NET Framework, and primarily uses the System.Workflow.Activities, System.Workflow.ComponentModel, and System.Workflow.Runtime namespaces. Workflows in version 3 were created using either the Sequential model (in which activities are executed in order, with the completion of one activity leading to the next), or the State Machine model (in which activities are executed in response to external events). Microsoft SharePoint 2007 uses WF 3.
• In .NET 3.5, messaging activities were introduced that integrated Workflow with Windows Communication Foundation (WCF). With the new ReceiveActivity, workflows could respond to incoming WCF messages. The new features of Workflow in version 3.5 use the System.ServiceModel namespace. Microsoft SharePoint 2010 uses WF 3.5.
• In .NET 4, Windows Workflow Foundation was largely updated, with new features such as Data Contract Resolver, Flowchart, and other flow control activities added. Workflow in .NET 4 uses the System.Activities namespace. Most notably, there is no longer a Workflow Runtime object in version 4; workflows are executed directly using WorkflowApplication or WorkflowInvoker instead.
• Activities created in previous versions of the .NET Framework can be executed by .NET 4 workflows using the Interop activity.
• Future versions and releases of WF will include an updated State Machine and Dynamic Update.