MB-820 Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Developer Questions and Answers

 B. Include extension translation files with the submission.

AppSource submissions require that the extension be localized to different languages, and including translation files is part of the requirement.

 C. Ensure the app file is digitally signed.

Digitally signing the app file is a security requirement for AppSource submissions to ensure the integrity and authenticity of the app.

 E. Use data classification on all tables and extension fields.

Microsoft requires that all data, especially personal data, be classified using the data classification feature to comply with GDPR and other data privacy regulations.

 Add Clear(PurchaseLine); as a line before line 01 of the code: No

 Add PurchaseLine.SetFilter("Line No."; '>0') as a line after line 06: Yes

 Change the filter on line 06 from a "No." field to a "Document No." field: No

 Remove "not" in line 07: No

 Add Clear(PurchaseLine); as a line before line 01 of the code.

No

You do not need to clear the PurchaseLine record before running the query, because the SetRange filters will take care of setting the correct context.

 Add PurchaseLine.SetFilter("Line No."; '>0') as a line after line 06.

Yes

Adding a SetFilter on the "Line No." field ensures that you're checking for actual purchase lines greater than 0, which are valid lines. This would fix the issue where the check might return false even when lines exist.

 Change the filter on line 06 from a "No." field to a "Document No." field.

No

The filter on the No. field is correct, as it's filtering based on the purchase order number. Changing this to Document No. is unnecessary.

 Remove "not" in line 07.

No

The not in line 07 is necessary because IsEmpty() returns true when no lines are found. To correctly return a boolean indicating whether the purchase order has lines, you need to negate the result of IsEmpty().

field(3; "Receipt No."; Code[20])

{

DataClassification = CustomerContent;

TableRelation = "Purch. Rcpt. Header"."No." where ("Buy-from Vendor No." = field("Vendor No."));

}

Field Declaration:

The field(3; "Receipt No."; Code[20]) part defines the field in the table with ID 3 and type Code with a length of 20. This field will hold the receipt number.

DataClassification:

CustomerContent is selected for the DataClassification property, which categorizes the data for privacy and compliance management. This aligns with Business Central's recommendations for handling sensitive data in customer-related tables.

TableRelation Property:

The TableRelation property links the "Receipt No." field to another table, which in this case is the "Purch. Rcpt. Header" table. This ensures that only valid receipt numbers from the Purchase Receipt Header table can be selected or entered in this field.

Relation Filter:

The filter condition is applied using the where clause. It ensures that the Receipt No. is only from the Purchase Receipt Header records where the "Buy-from Vendor No." matches the "Vendor No." of the current record.

The condition field("Vendor No.") is selected from the drop-down as shown in the image. This links the vendor information in the non-conformity table to the receipt in the Purchase Receipt Header table.

By linking the "Vendor No." fields, you ensure that only receipt numbers from the correct vendor are available, which improves data consistency and reduces errors during data entry.

References to AL Language:

The TableRelation property is frequently used to create references between tables in Business Central. In this case, the correct relationship between the "Purch. Rcpt. Header" and the Non-conformity table is established using the TableRelation and filter.

Reference Documentation:

AL TableRelation Property

AL Field Syntax

For the Install codeunit required for the extension used for installing or updating the Housekeeping app, you should use the following data type and declaration:

Data type for information: ModuleInfo

Start of the declaration of the method or procedure to perform the tasks: local procedure

In AL language, which is used for developing extensions in Business Central, an Install codeunit is a special type of codeunit that is used to handle installation or upgrade logic for an extension.

ModuleInfo is a data type that contains information about the current extension, such as its version. It is typically used within the OnInstallAppPerCompany or OnUpgradePerCompany triggers of an Install codeunit to determine if the app is being installed for the first time or upgraded.

A local procedure within an Install codeunit is a method that is only accessible within the codeunit itself. It is not visible to other objects or extensions. This is suitable for tasks that are internal to the installation process and should not be exposed globally.

These selections align with the requirements of handling installation and update procedures in a controlled and encapsulated manner within Business Central extensions.

Enclose line 08 into BEGIN .. END = NO

Add TopCustomerOverview.Open(); before = YES

TopCustomerOverview.SetFilter(Sales_LCY, '>10000'); in line 06.

Add TopCustomerOverview.Open(); after TopCustomerOverview.SetFilter(Sales_LCY, '>10000'); in line 06. = YES

Replace SetFilter in line 06 with SetRange. = NO

The code provided has a runtime error because the query TopCustomerOverview must be opened before it can be read from. Therefore, TopCustomerOverview.Open(); should be added before trying to read from the query, which is not present in the code.

Enclosing line 08 into a BEGIN .. END block is unnecessary because it is a single statement, and AL does not require a BEGIN .. END block for single statements within trigger or procedure bodies.

TopCustomerOverview.SetFilter(Sales_LCY, '>10000'); is a correct method to set a filter for the query, and using SetRange instead is not necessary unless the requirement is specifically to set a range of values, which is not indicated in the procedure's description.

In summary, for the procedure to run correctly, the query must be opened after setting the filter and before attempting to read from it. The SetFilter method is correct for the intended operation, and there's no requirement to use SetRange or to enclose the Message call in a BEGIN .. END block.

 Design pattern for the setup table:

The correct selection here is Adapter. The Adapter design pattern is commonly used when you need to handle integration points or create a setup table that acts as an intermediary for data manipulation, which fits the requirement for the configuration of the non-conformity functionality.

 Data type of the primary key field:

The correct data type is Code. In Business Central, when creating a table with a primary key field, the Code data type is typically used for fields such as document numbers, codes, and identifiers. For a setup table, a Code field is appropriate for keys like "No." series or setup identifiers.

 Property required to prevent users from adding records:

The correct property is InitValue. This property is used to set initial values for fields and can be configured in such a way that users are prevented from adding records directly, typically enforcing control over record creation and editing in configuration scenarios.

To make the permission set visible on the Permission Sets page, perform the following actions in sequence:

Change the Assignable property value to true.

Add the ObsoleteState = No property.

Publish the app with the permission set to an environment.

Process for making permission sets visible:In Business Central, the Assignable property determines whether a permission set is shown in the user interface for assigning to users. By default, if Assignable is set to false, the permission set is hidden. Therefore, it should be set to true to make the permission set visible.

The ObsoleteState property indicates whether an object is outdated (Obsolete) or not (No). If an object is marked as obsolete, it is typically hidden from the user interface. Therefore, setting ObsoleteState = No ensures that the permission set is not treated as outdated and remains visible.

Finally, publishing the app with the permission set to an environment updates the environment with the new or modified objects, including permission sets, making them available for assignment to users.

When developing an app for Microsoft AppSource, it is crucial to adhere to specific guidelines and standards to ensure compatibility and compliance. The three code analyzers you should activate are:

CodeCop (A): This is the default analyzer for AL language extensions. It enforces the AL Coding Guidelines, ensuring that the code follows best practices for readability, maintainability, and performance. It checks for a wide range of issues, from syntax errors to best practice violations, making it essential for any AL development.

PerTenantExtensionCop (D): This analyzer is specifically designed for extensions that are intended to be installed for individual tenants. It includes rules that ensure the extension does not interfere with the per-tenant customizations and adheres to the guidelines for extensions that can be safely installed and uninstalled without affecting the underlying application.

AppSourceCop (E): This analyzer is tailored for extensions that are intended for publication on Microsoft AppSource. It enforces additional rules that are specific to AppSource submissions, such as checking for the use of reserved object ranges and ensuring that all prerequisite dependencies are correctly declared. This is crucial for ensuring that your app meets all the requirements for listing on AppSource.

By activating these three analyzers, developers can ensure their app adheres to the standards required for AppSource, as well as maintain high code quality and compatibility with Business Central.

 Upgrade codeunit trigger: OnValidateUpgradePerDatabase

Since the question specifies that you are handling data upgrades, and you need to use validation before upgrading at the database level, the correct choice is OnValidateUpgradePerDatabase. This method ensures that the upgrade process is validated before applying to the entire database, making it more efficient when data affects multiple companies or structures.

 DataTransfer method to use: CopyRows

CopyRows is the appropriate method when you are handling large data transfers between tables, especially in an upgrade scenario where you are migrating or transferring data from one table to another. It copies entire rows of data and is optimal for bulk data operations during upgrades.

To properly apply the No. Series Design Pattern in the OnInsert() trigger, the correct sequence of actions should be as follows:

ContosoSetup.Get();

First, retrieve the Contoso Setup record using the Get method. This ensures that the necessary setup information is available, including the No. Series.

if "No." = '' then begin

Next, check if the No. field is empty. If it is, a new number from the No. Series should be assigned.

NoSeriesManagement.InitSeries(ContosoSetup."Vendor Nos.", "No. Series", 0D, "No.", "No. Series");

Call the InitSeries function to assign a new number from the No. Series. This initializes the No. Series for the Vendor Nos. field.

ContosoSetup.TestField("Vendor Nos.");

Lastly, ensure that the Vendor Nos. field is populated and valid by calling TestField.

Correct Order for Code Segments:

ContosoSetup.Get();

if "No." = '' then begin

NoSeriesManagement.InitSeries(ContosoSetup."Vendor Nos.", "No. Series", 0D, "No.", "No. Series");

ContosoSetup.TestField("Vendor Nos.");

 No AL command in User Settings:The correct solution is to Install the AL Language extension.

This issue arises when the AL Language extension is not installed in Visual Studio Code, which is required to work with AL projects in Business Central.

 Error in the Problems tab:The correct solution is to Download Symbols.

This error typically occurs when the symbols (metadata for pages, tables, etc.) are not downloaded, and Visual Studio Code cannot resolve the reference to the Customer List page. Downloading symbols should fix the problem.

Table Structure in Business Central: When creating entities such as "non-conformity" entities in Business Central, you use document tables to represent entities that have a header and line structure. In this case, the non-conformity entity has:

A header with common information (Non-conformity Number, Date, Vendor No., etc.).

One or more lines representing the detailed information for each non-conforming item.

Document Table Usage:

Document Table: A document table is the correct table type for scenarios where you have a header (with general information like vendor details) and lines (with detailed, item-specific information).

Document tables are typically used for entities such as Sales Orders, Purchase Orders, or any other transactional data where you have both header and line information.

Supplemental Table (Option C):

Supplemental tables are usually used to add supplementary information to existing data in Business Central. In this case, we need to store detailed line information, which is a core part of the entity rather than supplementary data, so a supplemental table would not be appropriate here.

Document History Table (Option A):

Document history tables are used to track changes and historical data for entities but are not suitable for the main introduction of the entity and its lines. This option is also not appropriate.

Reference Documentation:

Introduction to Business Central Tables

Document Tables in Business Central

Instructions to use for Incident Date and Status fields:

The correct instruction is "Incident Date" := Workdate(); "Status" := Status::Open;. This ensures that when a new record is created, the Incident Date is set to the current work date, and the Status field is initialized to 'Open'. This is essential for ensuring that the incident data is always timestamped and correctly marked upon creation.

Trigger to introduce the function:

The correct trigger is Trigger OnModify. This trigger ensures that when a record is modified, such as when an update to the status is made (e.g., from Open to Closed), the necessary logic will be executed to handle the update of fields like Incident Date and Status.

Step-by-Step References:

Workdate Function in AL

Triggers in AL

var

TempBlob: Codeunit "Temp Blob";

IncidentOutStream: OutStream;

IncidentInStream: InStream;

ImageFilter, FileName: Text;

begin

// Initialize the TempBlob and streams

TempBlob.CreateOutStream(IncidentOutStream);

Rec.Image.ExportStream(IncidentOutStream); // 'Rec' refers to the current Room Incident record

TempBlob.CreateInStream(IncidentInStream);

// Set the filters and filename for the image

ImageFilter := 'Image Files (*.bmp,*.jpg,*.jpeg,*.gif)|*.bmp;*.jpg;*.jpeg;*.gif';

FileName := 'Customer Picture';

// Prompt the user to download the image

if not DownloadFromStream(IncidentInStream, '', 'Download Incident Picture', '', ImageFilter, FileName) then

Error('Unable to download the image.');

end;

In Business Central, fields in tables are assigned specific data types that determine the kind of data they can store. For the Non-conformity table mentioned in the case study, the following data types should be used:

Date for the Non-Conformity Date field: This is because the Non-conformity Date field is required to store only the date when the non-conformity was recorded. The Date data type is appropriate for storing dates without times.

Code for the Non-Conformity Number field: The Non-conformity Number field is described to use alphanumeric values with a format that includes "NC" and the year, like "NC24-001". In Business Central, the Code data type is used for fields that store alphanumeric keys. It is a text field with a limited length, which makes it suitable for number series that contain letters and numbers.

Other options are not suitable:

A. Integer for the Non-conformity Number field: This would not be appropriate because the Non-conformity Number includes alphanumeric characters and not just integers.

B. DateTime for the Non-Conformity Date field: This is not correct because there is no requirement to store the time alongside the date.

C. Char for the Non-Conformity Number field: Char data type is not typically used in Business Central for number series or identifiers. The Code data type is preferred for this purpose.

codeunit 52102 "POS API Management"

{

Access = Public;

Permissions = TableData "POS Information" = rwdx;

trigger OnRun()

begin

readAPI();

end;

procedure readAPI()

begin

// Your code here to read from the POS API

end;

}

To correctly write the code to call the subcontractor's REST API, you would need to set the Authorization header with the base64 encoded username and password for basic authentication. The code segment indicates the use of the Base64Convert codeunit to convert the username and password to base64 format, which is then prefixed with "Basic " to form the proper Authorization header value.

The correct method to add the Authorization header to the RequestHeaders would be:

RequestHeaders.Add('Authorization', 'Basic ' + Base64Convert.ToBase64(Username + ':' + Password));

And the correct method to set the httpContent with the body of the request would be:

httpContent.WriteFrom(Body);

These are the necessary steps to form a well-structured HTTP request for basic authentication and to include the body of the request in the API call.

In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, when configuring snapshot debugging, it is crucial that the parameters in the configuration file are correctly set. From the options provided, the issue with the debugger not starting correctly is most likely due to an incorrect "userId" parameter.

Option A is the cause of the problem. The "userId" parameter must be the GUID of the user, not the username. The snapshot debugger needs the exact GUID to attach to the right session for debugging.

Option B is incorrect because "breakOnNext" set to "WebClient" is a valid setting. This tells the debugger to break on the next client action in the web client, which is a typical scenario.

Option C is not the cause of the problem. The "userId" parameter is meant to specify which user session to debug, and this works in conjunction with the "breakOnNext" parameter.

Option D is incorrect as the "executionContext" parameter does not need to be set to "Debug" for snapshot debugging to work. "DebugAndProfile" is a valid value for the "executionContext" parameter, as it allows for debugging and collecting performance information.

Therefore, the reason why the debugger does not start correctly is due to Option A: The "userId" parameter must have the GUID of the user specified, not the username.

In Business Central development using AL (the language for Business Central extensions), the use of access modifiers defines how variables and procedures are accessed within and outside of an object or codeunit.

Access Modifiers in AL:

Public: A public variable can be accessed from any object or codeunit within the same module or extension.

Protected: This restricts access to the current object and objects that inherit from the current object. However, in AL (at least in versions used for Business Central), the Protected access modifier is used with methods but not variables.

Internal: This modifier restricts the visibility to the current extension. This means that variables or methods declared as internal can only be accessed from within the same extension. This is appropriate when you want to provide functionality that is shared within the extension but not exposed externally.

Local: This restricts the variable or method to the current object or method where it is declared. It cannot be accessed from anywhere else, even within the same extension.

Scenario Justification:

In the scenario for Contoso, Ltd., IssueTotal is a global variable in the ISSUE BASE extension, and the ISSUE EXT extension needs to access it. Therefore, the variable cannot be declared as Local, because this would restrict access to just the current object (or method).

Using Public would expose the variable outside of the extension, which is unnecessary because you only want other parts of the extension (specifically the ISSUE EXT extension) to have access.

The best choice in this case is Internal because it restricts access to the variable to within the same extension, which includes the base extension and any dependent extensions like ISSUE EXT. It strikes the right balance between visibility and encapsulation.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Developer References:

Access Modifiers in AL: Microsoft's documentation on AL provides the details on access modifiers, where it is specified that internal variables can be accessed within the extension, and the public variable is accessible across all extensions【source: Microsoft Learn on AL Programming】.

Best Practices for AL Development: Business Central development best practices suggest keeping variables internal unless they need to be accessed outside of the current extension【source: Microsoft Learn on AL development guidelines】.

Here is the most logical sequence of actions for implementing the Issue Management module in Business Central and exposing the PostIssue method:

Correct Order:

Create a codeunit named "Issue Management Impl." and set the value of Access property to Internal.

This is the first step because Issue Management Impl. is the implementation layer where the actual business logic resides, and setting it to Internal ensures that it is only accessible from within the module, following best practices in encapsulation.

Create a local procedure named PostIssueImpl in the "Issue Management Impl." codeunit.

This step adds the actual PostIssueImpl method, which contains the core logic of posting an issue.

Create a codeunit named "Issue Management" and set the value of Access property to Public.

After defining the implementation logic, you need to create a public-facing Issue Management codeunit to expose the service externally.

Create a PostIssue procedure in the "Issue Management" codeunit, and in it call the PostIssueImpl method.

Lastly, expose the PostIssue method in the Issue Management codeunit, which will internally call the PostIssueImpl method, completing the chain.

In the context provided by the case study, when calling an API action from a mobile application, the correct format for a POST request to an action in Business Central typically involves specifying the entity (/issues), the ID of the entity (88122e0e-5796-ec11-bb87-000d3a392eb5), and the action to be called (/Copy). The action name should match the exact name as defined in the AL code, which is case-sensitive.

Option A is incorrect because it uses a non-standard format for the action call.

Option B uses the PATCH method, which is generally used for update operations, not for calling actions.

Option C is correct as it uses the POST method, which is appropriate for calling actions, and correctly specifies the entity, ID, and action name.

Option D is incorrect because the action name /copy is in lowercase, while AL is case-sensitive, and it should match the case exactly as defined in the code.

Option E incorrectly adds 'MicrosoftNAV' before the action name, which is not standard for calling actions in Business Central APIs.

Hence, the correct action to use when calling the Issue API action from the mobile application is given in Option C.

In Business Central, when you need to handle the removal of fields and procedures to ensure that other extensions are not affected by these changes, you typically follow a two-step deprecation process. This allows other developers and users to adapt to the changes before they are fully enforced. Here are the steps to handle the removal:

Mark as Obsolete: In the first version where the decision to remove the field or procedure is made, you set the ObsoleteState to Pending and provide an ObsoleteReason. This doesn't remove the feature but indicates to users and developers that it will be removed in the future. This step is crucial for backward compatibility.

Removal: In a subsequent version, after users have had time to adapt to the deprecation warning, you can then remove the field or procedure or set the ObsoleteState to Removed.

Based on these guidelines, here are the three actions you should perform in sequence:

Set the Description field as ObsoleteState = Pending and ObsoleteReason = 'Not in use' in version 2.0.0.0.

Set the Clone procedure as ObsoleteState = Pending and ObsoleteReason = 'Not in use' in version 2.0.0.0.

Remove the Description field from the Issue table in version 2.0.0.1.

These steps will ensure that anyone using the Description field or Clone procedure will receive a warning about the pending deprecation before it is actually removed, thereby minimizing the impact on other extensions and providing a clear path for migration.

When handling the removal of fields and procedures in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, the process should be carried out in a way that allows other extensions or dependent features to adapt to the changes without causing immediate failures.

Set Obsolete State and Reason for Description Field (Version 2.0.0.0): The first step involves marking the Description field as obsolete by setting the ObsoleteState to 'Pending'. This is a non-breaking change, signaling to other developers and users that the field is planned for removal in a future version. An ObsoleteReason should also be provided to explain why the field is being deprecated.

Set Obsolete State and Reason for Clone Procedure (Version 2.0.0.0): Similarly, the Clone procedure should be marked as obsolete with the ObsoleteState set to 'Pending'. This indicates that the procedure is no longer in use and will be removed in the future. Providing an ObsoleteReason is best practice as it explains the rationale behind the decision.

Remove the Description Field (Version 2.0.0.1): In the subsequent version, after the developers and users have been given time to adapt to the deprecation notice, the Description field can be safely removed from the Issue table. This is considered a breaking change, hence it is done after the field has been marked as obsolete in a previous version.

The reason for not removing the Description field and Clone procedure immediately in version 2.0.0.0 is to avoid causing runtime errors for any extensions or integrations that may depend on these components. By following this sequence, you provide a clear deprecation path that helps maintain the stability of the overall system while evolving the schema.

Code Segment Analysis:

The AL code is trying to read JSON data from a response and process it to extract subcontracting order numbers. It uses JsonToken, JsonObject, and JsonArray to work with the JSON data.

JToken.ReadFrom(Data): This line reads the incoming JSON data and converts it into a token. It processes the full JSON body so you can start working with it.

JToken.SelectToken("results"): This line selects the part of the JSON containing the results array. The key "results" is where the JSON response data is expected to be found.

JsonArray: Once the results are extracted, they are stored as an array, and each element in the array (which is expected to contain subcontracting order numbers) is processed.

SubcontractingOrderNo: The extracted order_no from the JSON is stored in this variable.

Breakdown of Steps:

JToken.ReadFrom(Data): This step reads the entire JSON response.

JToken.SelectToken("results"): This step selects the results array from the JSON response.

JArray.AsArray(): This step converts the selected results token into a JSON array that can be iterated over.

GetValueAsText(JToken, 'order_no'): This step retrieves the order_no from each element in the array.

Correct Code Completion:

JToken.ReadFrom(Data): This is the correct method to read the incoming JSON response, as it will convert the string into a JsonToken that can be further processed.

JToken.SelectToken("results"): This is the correct method to extract the results array from the token. This method looks for the key "results" in the JSON and retrieves the relevant array.

Final Code Segment:

al

Copy code

procedure ReadJsonData(Data: text)

var

JToken: JsonToken;

JObject: JsonObject;

JArray: JsonArray;

SubcontractingOrderNo: Code[20];

begin

if Data = '' then

exit;

JToken := JToken.ReadFrom(Data); // Step 1: Read the JSON response data.

JToken := JToken.SelectToken('results'); // Step 2: Select the "results" array.

JArray := JToken.AsArray(); // Convert the token into a JSON array.

foreach JToken in JArray do begin

SubcontractingOrderNo := GetValueAsText(JToken, 'order_no'); // Retrieve the order number.

end;

end;

JToken.ReadFrom(Data): This reads the raw JSON data string and converts it into a JSON token that can be processed.

JToken.SelectToken("results"): This extracts the results array from the JSON data.

JArray.AsArray(): Converts the token into an array so we can iterate over it.

GetValueAsText(JToken, 'order_no'): Extracts the order_no value from each item in the array.