Major Differences Between SP2013 and SP2010 Designer Experience

This post looks at the major differences between SP2013 and SP2010 Designer Experience.

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!