You are absolutely right: WF does implement a kind of language. In fact, there are even formal language specs out there for WF.
I will have to dig up my text books to figure out if the "language" OSWorkflow implements is a "programming" language or not. But it is beyond the point I am going to make:
WF Engine is to Java like Java is to Assembly. The value added are the constructs provided by the Engine.
Just like Java provides constructs for a programmers such as control flows and data structures, WF provides business process engineers with contructs such as tasks, conditions, flows, and users. Many of the constructs may sound similar between Java and an WF Engine, they are different enough if you use them. In addition, many are not (such as users, status, tracking, etc.)
It is not to say that such constructs cannot be added to Java: They are just not proper to be added to Java. Just like a complicated data structure (Hash Map comes to mind) is not proper to be added to an assembly language. They are not properly because JAVA as a generic programming language needs to FOCUS on what people have become familiar in a programming language.
It is also not to say that such constructs cannot be represented in Assembly either: they are just arkward, to use a term in your message. Remember, even between aeembly programmer and Java programmer, the vocabulary is very different. WF and Java have different vocabulary also and keeping them deliberately different is important.
In other words: WF Engine is like an car assembly line that uses components build from Java and other programming languages. It is not that the car cannot be built in a generic factory that can produces all these components from raw metal, it is just a matter of effeciency.
I heard on the news the other day that GM is openning a factory to produce some kind of really high end car that even its engine will be custom built using generic tools. I do know what you think but it just sounded stupid to me. A pair of hands can paint a more lovely picture than a machine, but I doubt they will ever build a more precise engine than the machines.
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