Migration Guidance

  • Article

This topic applies to Windows Workflow Foundation 4 (WF4).

In the .NET Framework 4, Microsoft is releasing the second major version of Windows Workflow Foundation (WF). WF was released in .NET Framework 3.0 (this included the types in the System.Workflow.* namespaces; now referred to as WF3) and enhanced in .NET Framework 3.5. WF3 is also part of the .NET Framework 4, but it exists there alongside new workflow technology (the types in the System.Activities.* namespaces; referred to as WF4). When considering when to adopt WF4, it is important to first recognize that you control the timing.

  • WF3 is a fully supported part of the .NET Framework 4.

  • WF3 applications run on the .NET Framework 4 without modification and continue to be fully supported.

  • New WF3 applications can be created and your existing applications can be edited in Visual Studio 2010 and are fully supported.

Thus, the decision to adopt the .NET Framework 4 is decoupled from your decision to move to WF4 (System.Activities.*) from WF3 (System.Workflow.*). This topic provides links to WF migration guidance that provides information about working with WF3 and WF4.

WF Migration Whitepapers and Cookbooks

The WF Migration Overview topic provides a broad overview of the relationship between WF3 and WF4 and migration strategies. Companion topics drill into specific topics. The following topics are currently available. More topics are in development and will be released prior to the .NET Framework 4 RTM. The latest version of these documents can be found in the WF 4 Migration Guidance topic.

  • WF Migration Overview
    Describes the relationship between WF3 and WF4, and the choices you have as a user or a potential user of workflow technology in .NET 4.
  • WF Guidance: Rules
    Discusses how to bring rules-related investments forward into .NET Framework 4 solutions.

See Also

Reference

Interop