Chapter 2

Workflow Basics

WHAT’S IN THIS CHAPTER?

  • Creating content types
  • Making custom lists
  • Creating custom workflows
  • Working with SharePoint Designer

Welcome to Chapter 2, “Workflow Basics.” This chapter introduces you to SharePoint Designer, workflows, and content types. It then shows you how to design business solutions using swim lane diagrams and reusable patterns.

The walk-through sections of the book’s remaining chapters focus on solving business problems with a practical approach based on SharePoint 2010 functions and tools (primarily workflow). They do not explain how to create a content type but instead provide instructions, such as “create a site content type with the following site columns. . . .” Refer back to this chapter for detailed instructions for those kinds of tasks if you need to.

GETTING STARTED

In the next few pages, you learn what you need to create your first workflow solution. Attempts were made to ignore the “Hello, World” siren song, but we failed. First, you learn what you need to create the workflow (hardware and software), then you create the simple “Hello, World” workflow solution.

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The origin of “Hello, World” is somewhat obscure, but it dates back at least as far as the introduction of the C programming language. Many books and tutorials use “Hello, World” as a way to introduce a new programming concept.

What You Need

To create business solutions ...

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