Workflow Applications Architecture for SQL Server

Article
09/14/2006

Workflow applications are designed to automate business processes that control items within a database. In addition to a database, the application architecture includes the presentation layer, which is a user interface such as a Web site, and the business logic layer, which consists of the tables and stored procedures that specify the business processes and security for the database.

Presentation Layer

A workflow application includes a user interface that is used to interact with the database. This interface is called the form, presentation layer, or front-end layer of the application. If you use Microsoft® Access to create the form using data access pages, you can take advantage of the built-in functionality of the Microsoft Office Developer Workflow Toolbar control. Any application package or language that works with Microsoft® SQL Server™ can be used to create the presentation layer, but the workflow toolbar can be used only with data access pages.

Business Logic Layer

Workflow applications use triggers and stored procedures to enable your business processes and enforce business rules. While the presentation layer runs on a separate client computer, the business rules run on the server where the database exists. When you install Workflow Designer for SQL Server, several extended stored procedures are added to the Master database and a new database is created, modSystem, where the Workflow Designer keeps internal information and stored procedures. When you begin adding workflow to a database, the Workflow Designer registers the database by adding information to modSystem and by adding a number of stored procedures, tables, and views to your database.

The Workflow Application Architecture

Share via

Workflow Applications Architecture for SQL Server

Presentation Layer

Business Logic Layer

See Also

Additional resources