Windows Workflow and sql script in declarative config like InRule

Question

We have been using InRule for our Rule needs we have found that it does not scale well and so are investigating the Windows Work Flow. Within InRule we could configure pretty much have any task for example our sql scripts and stored procedures where all part of a separate rule config file, I am wondering if there is a similar functionality within windows work flow where I could just call a declarative task and pass it a bunch of parameters – This task should contain the sql script I would be executing , we should be able to change the script at runtime without recompilation to the WF code. Is this possible in Windows Work flow – How can I accomplish this within work flow. Additionally for sql execution within Work Flow, how does it get the connection string. Should it be passed from the calling program – is passing it as input parameter from the Calling app via the Dictionary object the best way or can the work flow code have visibility to my calling program app.config and get the connection string ?

Answer 1

Yes this is possible in a number of ways. You can either run .net code attached to an action in the workflow, or you can save and load rules from a sql database.

I would use the web.config file for setting connection information, but only if you configure the workflow to run inside a web service host or similar.

I would consider using one or more code actions that call stored procedures on the sql database. You can then customise these procedures at any time without recompilation. You can even enable the CLR if you need to.

If you are looking for a rules engine, then this post should help.

http://richardsbraindump.blogspot.com/2007/08/how-to-use-windows-workflow-rules.html

Answer 2

Hi Satish,

what was your solution for this problem? Did you go the WF way? Thanks,

Atam