Introduction

Hi guys, today let’s explore the major differences between SP2010 and SP2013 Designer Experience.
Here is a quick table, summarizing a few major points:
Features SP2013 Designer SP2010 Designer
.Net Version Version 4.0 Version 3.5
Managed By Workflow Manager(WM) Managed by Microsoft
Design No visual design The split view design (on the bottom)
Overall Structural entities available Conditions, Actions, Stages, Steps, Loop, Else Branch, Parallel Block, App Step, Text-based and Visual Designer Views, Export/Import to Visio, Initiation Form Parameters, Local Variables + Dictionary Builder Conditions, Actions, Steps, Else-If Branch, Parallel Block, Impersonation Step, Export/Import to Visio, WF Settings, Initiation Form Parameters, Local Variables, Associated Columns
Platform Platform dependent We have only SP2010 type to develop
Calling WF Can call SP2010 WF inside a SP2013 WF Can’t call SP2013 WF inside a SP2010 WF
Copying Options Can copy (Ctrl-C) the workflow steps, loops, conditions, actions and Paste (Ctrl-v) them in the workflow but Paste as Text not supported Can’t copy/paste actions or conditions
Modern Concepts Building Dictionary, Count Items and Get Item concepts covered Variables & Parameters
Proxy Permission Settings App Step Impersonation
Workflow Instances Auto Managed Need to be manually managed if otherwise difficult while Publishing after few changes in the SPD WF
Types of Workflows Two types of workflows, SharePoint 2010 (Workflows hosted by SharePoint) and SharePoint 2013 (Workflows hosted by Windows Azure) Workflow Foundation 3.5 hosted by SharePoint 2010
Developer Changes Workflow Manager Client 1.0 is a redesigned workflow infrastructure that is built on Windows Workflow Foundation 4 and brings new power and flexibility+New data type called DynamicValue is being introduced to capture run time dynamic values. Write code for:
Calling SharePoint API
Connect and Query Database
Consume ATOM/REST Feeds
Call Web Services/REST Services
Visio Designer Visio Designer is integrated into SharePoint designer Create in Visio and Export to SharePoint Designer
Packaging Extension *.wsp or *.app *.wsp
Note: For migrating an SP2010/SP2013 Designer WF please follow the steps mentioned in my previous blog, here.
Thanks for reading, I hope this was helpful to you!