Stickied - State Machine Workflow in WF 4.0

Question

The State Machine Workflow (like the one in WF 3.5) does not appear in .NET Framework 4: Workflow Foundation - Beta 1
Will it appear in the final release of WF 4.0?

Will you be able to move a particular state using a SetState method or something like it?

Answer 1

I read somewhere that it will not be included in final release but similar functionality can be achieved using flowchart and flowchart variables iirc.

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IT Architect www.Goyaweb.nl The Hague, The Netherlands

Answer 2

Philip

- have a look at the sample for building a state machine in the .NetFx 4.0 Beta1. The sample located in the folder  \WF_WCF_Samples\WF\Scenario\StateMachineWithPick


Thanks
Roman

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Roman Kiss, MVP Connected System Developer

Answer 3

We're also working on a detailed guidance doc here that you should hope to see this week or next.
Roman is right that a brand new State Machine is not included in WF4. However, we also believe that with the new Flowchart modeling style that lets you model your processes with loops, that common scenarios where people had to resort to State Machine in WF3.x should now be covered with Flowchart. We'll post a link to the guidance doc here.

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Program Manager, Connected Framework: http://blogs.msdn.com/rulesteam

Answer 4

Our State Machine guidance doc is now live on MSDN.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=bd94c260-b5e0-4d12-93ec-53567505e685&displaylang=en

If you have feedback on the State Machine guidance, please provide your feedback on this forum post:
http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/wfprerelease/thread/25e4fc38-24b2-4727-a552-cd7c06d2e55a

Thanks,
Kavita

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Senior Lead Program Manager, Windows Workflow Foundation http://blogs.msdn.com/kavitak

[Note: Tim Lovell-Smith, Moderator - this was the official answer when .Net 4.0 was released, and the advice here can be used for thinking about whether you would rather use state machine or flowchart. However, for true state machines, they are now supported in .Net 4 PU1, see Ron's answer below.]

Answer 5

Now we have a StateMachine CTP release based on .Net 4.0. Please try it and give your feedback. :)

http://wf.codeplex.com/releases/view/43586

 

Answer 6

I am not able to use state machine in reshosting. it is working fine with studio but not working in rehosting

Answer 7

Atul,
Maybe you could add some details on what you did, and how it is not working in rehosting? In a new thread might be best.
Tim

Answer 8

Hi tilovell

I have added a new thread and details under title

State machine activity in WF 4.0 is not working in rehosting. Please let me know if something more is required

Answer 9

State Machine workflows are available in the .NET 4 Platform Update 1:

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/endpoint/archive/2011/04/18/microsoft-net-framework-4-platform-update-1.aspx 

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Jurgen Willis - MSFT

Answer 10

The State Machine Workflow Activity is now release in .NET 4 Platform Update 1.

For more information

Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Platform Update 1

Windows Workflow Foundation (WF4) - Introduction to State Machine Hands On Lab

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Sr. Program Manager, AppFabric Development Platform (WF/WCF) http://blogs.msdn.com/rjacobs http://www.twitter.com/ronljacobs