# YAWL

> workflow modelling language

**Wikidata**: [Q2164484](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2164484)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YAWL)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/yawl

## Summary
YAWL (Yet Another Workflow Language) is a workflow language and free software designed for modeling workflows. It is actively maintained by the YAWL Foundation, with its latest stable release, version 5.1, published in July 2024.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name**: Yet Another Workflow Language.
- **Classification**: Instance of a workflow language and free software.
- **Latest Stable Version**: 5.1 (released July 8, 2024).
- **Source Code Repository**: Hosted on GitHub at `github.com/yawlfoundation/yawl`.
- **Official Website**: `https://yawlfoundation.github.io/`.
- **Alternative Names**: YAWL工作流语言, YAWL工作流语言及系统.
- **Development Timeline**: Has received regular updates between 2015 (v3.0.1) and 2024 (v5.1).
- **Wikipedia Presence**: Available in 10 languages including English, German, Spanish, French, Japanese, and Russian.

## FAQs
### Q: What does YAWL stand for?
A: YAWL stands for "Yet Another Workflow Language." It is a language specifically designed for modeling workflows.

### Q: Is YAWL free to use?
A: Yes, YAWL is classified as free software. Its source code is publicly available via a GitHub repository maintained by the YAWL Foundation.

### Q: What is the most recent version of YAWL?
A: The most recent stable version is 5.1, which was released on July 8, 2024.

## Why It Matters
YAWL serves as a distinct tool in the domain of business process management and workflow automation. As a "workflow language," it provides the syntax and semantics necessary to define, execute, and manage complex business processes. Its classification as "free software" is significant because it lowers the barrier to entry for organizations seeking to implement workflow solutions without proprietary licensing costs.

The project demonstrates sustained active development and community engagement, evidenced by a consistent release schedule spanning nearly a decade—from version 3.0.1 in 2015 to version 5.1 in 2024. This longevity suggests a reliable and evolving codebase that adapts to modern technical requirements. By providing a dedicated language for workflow modeling, YAWL enables precise technical specification and automation of organizational tasks, bridging the gap between theoretical process models and executable code.

## Notable For
- **Active Longevity**: Maintained a consistent release schedule from 2015 through 2024, culminating in version 5.1.
- **Open Source Status**: Distinguished as free software with a transparent development process on GitHub.
- **Multilingual Documentation**: Supported by Wikipedia entries across 10 different languages, indicating global relevance.
- **Standardization**: Explicitly defined as a "workflow language" for modeling workflows, serving as a specialized tool for this domain.

## Body
### Definition and Classification
YAWL is formally classified as a "workflow language" and "free software." It is designed specifically for the purpose of modeling workflows. The entity is identified in knowledge bases by its Freebase ID `/m/0cq9wp` and is described simply as a "workflow modelling language."

### Version History and Development
The development of YAWL is documented through a series of version releases available on GitHub. The project shows a trajectory of updates over the last decade:
- **2015**: Version 3.0.1 released on August 12.
- **2016**: Version 4.0 (April 19) and 4.1 (May 10) released.
- **2017**: Version 4.2 released on November 29.
- **2020**: Version 4.3 (February 4) and 4.3.1 (March 13) released.
- **2021-2022**: Updates continued with v4.5 (August 10, 2021), v4.5.1 (February 8, 2022), and v5.0 (December 20, 2022).
- **2024**: The current stable version, 5.1, was released on July 8, 2024.

### Technical Resources
The YAWL Foundation manages the project. Technical assets and source code are accessible through the username `yawlfoundation` on GitHub. The official website, `yawlfoundation.github.io`, serves as the primary English-language portal for the software. The software's presence on Wikipedia spans multiple language editions (commons, de, en, es, fr, it, ja, ko, pt, ru), reflecting its utilization in various regions.

## References

1. [Release 3.0.1. 2015](https://github.com/yawlfoundation/yawl/releases/tag/v3.0.1)
2. [Release 4.0. 2016](https://github.com/yawlfoundation/yawl/releases/tag/v4.0)
3. [Release 4.1. 2016](https://github.com/yawlfoundation/yawl/releases/tag/v4.1)
4. [Release 4.2. 2017](https://github.com/yawlfoundation/yawl/releases/tag/v4.2)
5. [Release 4.3. 2020](https://github.com/yawlfoundation/yawl/releases/tag/v4.3)
6. [Release 4.3.1. 2020](https://github.com/yawlfoundation/yawl/releases/tag/v4.3.1)
7. [Release 4.5. 2021](https://github.com/yawlfoundation/yawl/releases/tag/v4.5)
8. [Release 4.5.1. 2022](https://github.com/yawlfoundation/yawl/releases/tag/v4.5.1)
9. [Release 5.0. 2022](https://github.com/yawlfoundation/yawl/releases/tag/v5.0)
10. [Release 5.1. 2024](https://github.com/yawlfoundation/yawl/releases/tag/v5.1)
11. [Release 5.2. 2025](https://github.com/yawlfoundation/yawl/releases/tag/v5.2)
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013