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Views

This content is no longer actively maintained. It is provided as is, for anyone who may still be using these technologies, with no warranties or claims of accuracy with regard to the most recent product version or service release.

The Workflow Designer for SQL Server uses views to access each database table. SQL views are similar to a virtual table or a stored query and provide a consistent, SQL-based interface to data. Views control the access to data in user tables by enabling the use of row-level permissions. Views for detail tables handle column and table permissions for their table. For row-level permissions, the detail view looks up the hierarchy chain and enforces permissions as defined in the main table.

Tables in a hierarchy are treated, for most purposes, as independent tables. Views are created for each main and detail table. Those views are the building blocks for data hierarchies. However, views do not span over more than one data table (for example, a flat recordset that includes a column from two or more user tables).

What Does a View Do?

  • Enforces table-level permissions. By default, tables are not accessible directly to application users. Object-level permissions are set on the view.
  • Resolves row-level permissions, including permissions for detail tables in a hierarchy.
  • Makes updates to the underlying user table possible.

For more information about SQL Views, see the SQL Server Books Online.

Workflow Designer for SQL Server System Views

When you create a workflow application, the Workflow Designer for SQL Server extends your database by creating system views. These views exist in the workflow-enabled database and provide developers with controlled access to data in the modSystem database. Two of the views are associated with and named after user tables.

View Description
modUserList Filters the user directory and selects all the users of the current workflow application.
<table>View Enforces column-level and row-level permissions for a user table.
<table>WorkflowView Exposes selected columns from the <table>Workflow table. Filters only those rows in the workflow table that describe events on which the user has execute permissions.

See Also

Workflow Application Infrastructure | ModSystem Database Tables | Workflow-Enabled Database Tables | Stored Procedures