Collections in Workflow

Introduction : The Workflow defines a variable that is a collection of  classes.The variable can be any typeof collection that supports the interface. The LambdaValue Represents a lambda expression used as an r-value, which supports the binding of In arguments so it is bound to the default value. Different types of collections like add, remove and delete, sorting, searching and clearing collection.

Collection Classes :

• System.Collections.
• .System.Collection.Generic.
• Most collection classes derive from the interfaces ICollection, IComparer, IEnumerable, IList, IDictionary, and IDictionaryEnumerator and their generic equivalents.
• Generic collection classes provide increased type-safety and in some cases can provide better performance, especially when they store value types.

Step 1 : Open Visual Studio 2010.

• Go to File->New-> Project.
• Select Workflow ConsoleApplication.

Step 2 : Drag activity from Toolbox.

• Drag the WriteLine, Sequence, Collection activities.

Step 3 : Go to the program.cs file and write the below code.

Code :

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Workflow.Activities;
namespace ConsoleApplication1
{
    class Program
    {
        public class litem
        {
            public string Description { get; set; }
            public int Quantity { get; set; }
            public decimal UnitPrice { get; set; }
            public int Priority { get; set; }
            public string Comments { get; set; }
            public litem(string description, int quantity, decimal unitPrice,
                            int priority, string comments)
            {
                Description = description;
                Quantity = quantity;
                UnitPrice = unitPrice;
                Priority = priority;
                Comments = comments;
            }
            public litem(string description)
            {
                Description = description;
            }
        }
    }
}

Step 4 : Press F6 and build the application.

Step 5 : Go to Solution Explorer.

• Right-Click->Add->New Item.
• Select Class.
• Click OK.

Step 6 :  Add the following namespace to the program.cs file.

"using System.Activities.Expressions;"

Step 7 : Write the below code and implement a  simple Workflow.

Code :

using System;
using System.Linq;
using System.Activities;
using System.Activities.Statements;
using System.Activities.Expressions;
namespace WorkflowConsoleApplication1
{
    private static WorkflowElement CollectionWF()
    {
        Variable<ICollection<ListItem>> myList =
        new Variable<ICollection<litem>>()
        {
            Name = "MyList",
            Default = new LambdaValue<ICollection<litem>>
            (env => new List<litem>())
        };
        return new Sequence
        {
            Variables = { myList },
            Activities = { new WriteLine { Text = "Workflow starting..."},
    new AddToCollection<litem>
            {
     Collection = myList,
         Item = new LambdaValue<litem>
                 (env => new litem("Milk", 1, 3.99m, 2, "")) },
 new AddToCollection<litem>
 {
  Collection = myList,
  Item = new LambdaValue<litem>
  (env => new litem("Bread", 2, 2.95m, 1,
"Get 100% Whole Wheat, if possible"))},
 new AddToCollection<litem>
 {
  Collection = myList,
Item = new LambdaValue<litem>
(env => new litem("Cheese", 1, 1.75m, 4, ""))},
 static void Main(string[] args)
 {
  WorkflowInvoker.Invoke(new Workflow1());
 }
           }
      }
}

Step 8 : Press F5 to run it.