Workflow Applications
Workflow applications improve efficiency by automating business processes and enforcing business rules, such as who sees a database record, the sequence of events an item goes through, the routing of an item, or even when a record can be created or deleted. Using the Workflow Designer for SQL Server, you can create an application that provides the security, user information, and workflow control required to implement a business process successfully.
A workflow application includes databases and a user interface that is created separately (using data access pages, for example), but the central component is the workflow process. A workflow process is made up of a series of states (indicating what tasks must be done) and events, the order in which the states must occur, and the script that is executed for each event or transition. In its simplest form, a workflow process enforces the order of tasks. For example, a user can create a new item in a database and assign it to another user. This user can resolve the item and assign it to the original user, who then can close the issue.
The Workflow Designer for SQL Server uses a graphical user interface (GUI) to represent the workflow process as a diagram. The conceptual model for a workflow process in the Workflow Designer for SQL Server includes states, events, and transitions.
| Workflow component | Description |
|---|---|
| State | A state defines the current status of an item in the workflow process, such as Active, Resolved, or Closed. For more information, see Adding and Modifying States in a Workflow. |
| Event | An event defines the operations that can be performed on an item, such as Create, Delete, or Change. In addition, workflow events can be used to trigger scripts. For more informaton, see Scripting Workflow Events for SQL Server. |
| Transition | A transition moves an item from one state to another. For example, onChange is an event that can be used to cause a transition when an item is changed. To create a transition, you select the event and specify the next state. For more information, see Scripting Workflow Events for SQL Server. |
When you create a workflow application, consider the following components; they will help ensure successful implementation:
- Application Design
- System Configuration
- Security Configuration
Application Design
As with any other database application, the success of your workflow application is going to depend on the strength of your data model, including the relationship of user tables and the design of the workflow process. In addition to the basic database schema, you must consider how the application interface will look to your users and how users will interact with data and database objects.
System Configuration
Before starting development, consider all of the computer configurations required to run and manage the application. Think about the configuration of your server, of the development computer, and of the end user's computer. The Workflow Designer has very specific software-configuration requirements that should be reviewed carefully.
Security Configuration
Security considerations and limitations must be analyzed thoroughly. Because the Workflow Designer builds on and over other programs, the permissions and privileges set up on other systems have a strong impact on workflow application development and deployment on a server. These programs and components include:
- Microsoft® Windows® 2000, Microsoft® Windows NT® Server, Windows NT Workstation, Windows NT File System (NTFS)
- Microsoft® SQL Server™ and Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2000 Desktop Engine
- Microsoft® Exchange
- Microsoft® Internet Explorer
- Active Directory
Within the Workflow Designer itself, you have the ability to set up row-level permissions.
When implementing security within a workflow application, you will have the ability to set up database roles and assign users to those roles. This security model is portable and lends itself to creating templates based on existing applications.
See Also
Workflow Applications Architecture for SQL Server | SQL Server Workflow Databases | Workflow Web Sites | Workflow Templates | Building Workflow Applications for SQL Server