Windows Workflow Foundation

[3] A workflow, as defined here, is a series of distinct programming steps or phases.

Encapsulating programming functionality into the activities allows the developer to create more manageable applications; each component of execution can be developed as a Common Language Runtime object whose execution will be managed by the workflow runtime.

Windows Workflow Foundation is used to create applications that execute an ordered business process, such as the steps needed to approve a document, hire a candidate for a position, or make a purchase.

These processes can execute in a short amount of time, but are typically long-running, in which the application will need to shut down to conserve memory between steps.

The single parent activity is then executed using WorkflowApplication or WorkflowInvoker, and runs as a workflow.