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

API Publishing for Extensions:

In Business Central, when creating custom APIs like RoomsAPI, it is important to ensure that they are automatically published during the installation or upgrade of the extension.

To achieve this, you can include a codeunit of type Install in the extension that explicitly publishes the custom API (RoomsAPI) as a web service. This ensures that it is available for use immediately after the extension is deployed without requiring manual intervention.

Codeunit Type:

A codeunit of type Install runs when the extension is installed or upgraded. This type of codeunit can be used to perform setup tasks such as publishing web services or APIs like RoomsAPI.

Why Not Other Options?

Option A (default API configuration): This would not automatically publish the RoomsAPI. Default APIs do not cover custom APIs.

Option B (enable APIs for the environment): Enabling APIs in Business Central allows the standard APIs to be used, but custom APIs still need to be manually published.

Option C (publish via Web Services page): This would work but requires manual intervention to publish RoomsAPI, which does not fulfill the requirement of automatic publishing during installation.

Reference Documentation:

Publishing APIs in Extensions

Codeunit Types in Business Central

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

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;

When creating a test codeunit in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central to write unit test functions, the SubType property (A) of the codeunit should be set to Test. This property is crucial for defining the codeunit's purpose and behavior within the application. By setting the SubType property to Test, you are indicating that the codeunit contains test functions intended to validate the functionality of other parts of the application, such as customizations or new developments. This distinction ensures that the testing framework within Business Central recognizes the codeunit as a container for test functions, allowing it to execute these functions in a testing context, which can include setting up test data, running the tests, and cleaning up after the tests have completed.

 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.

ou plan to call a web service using HttpClient from a Business Central AL extension. The web service must authenticate using a certificate that includes a password, and the password must be hidden during debugging.

Options Explanation:

The question asks for the correct implementation where the certificate and password are provided and where the password is hidden when debugging.

SecretText is a special data type in Business Central that hides sensitive data (like passwords) during debugging.

To create a query that assigns vendors to items in Business Central, use the following code blocks in sequence:

dataitem(Vendor; Vendor)

dataitem(Item; Item)

DataItemLink = "Vendor No." = Item.Vendor_No;

Creating a query:In Business Central, a query object is used to combine data from multiple tables. You start by specifying each table as a data item. In this case, you would start with the Vendor table and then the Item table. After specifying the data items, you need to link them together. The DataItemLink property is used to establish a relationship between two data items based on a common field. Here, you are linking the Vendor and Item tables on the "Vendor No." field, which is present in both tables. This link ensures that the query will return a dataset that includes related records from both tables based on the vendor number. The order of the code blocks ensures the logical flow and relationships between tables as required for the query.

For the given requirements, you should configure the following actions:

For child data items not to be displayed on the request page for some master-detail reports, set the DataItemLinkReference property to the parent data item.

To decrease the amount of time to select key filter fields, specify the RequestFilterHeading property.

In Dynamics 365 Business Central, when customizing report request pages, certain properties can be set to control the behavior and display of the report options:

Hiding Child Data Items:The DataItemLinkReference property is used to link a child data item to a parent data item in the data model of a report. Setting this property correctly will ensure that the child data items are related to the correct parent data item and will be displayed or hidden accordingly on the request page. If the goal is to prevent child data items from being displayed, you need to make sure they are correctly linked and configured to not appear.

Optimizing Filter Field Selection:The RequestFilterHeading property is used to group filter fields on the request page. By specifying this property, you can create a more organized and user-friendly interface, which can significantly speed up the process of selecting filters. This property allows you to categorize filters into headings, making it quicker and easier for users to find and set the necessary filters for the report.

By adjusting these properties on the report request page as part of the per tenant extension customization, you will address the company's requirements to optimize the user experience when running reports.

To create the Approver field in the Item table using an AL extension, perform the following actions in sequence:

Create an enum object named Approver and include all options.

Create a table extension object for an Item table with an Approver field of enum type named Approver in the fields section.

Create a page extension object that extends the Item Card object. Add the field to the fields section.

Build and extend tables:To add a new field to an existing table in Business Central using AL extension, you need to define an enumeration (enum) with the possible values for the new field. Then, you create a table extension object where you add the new field and specify its type as the enum you created. This adds the field to the Item table. Finally, you modify the user interface to display the new field by creating a page extension for the Item Card page and adding the new field to it.

 Direction: Both

 Format: VariableText

You are configuring an XMLport for Business Central with the following requirements:

Specifies import or export on the Request page at runtime.

Formats the data in a non-fixed length CSV format.

XMLport Configuration:

Specifies import or export on the Request page at runtime.The Direction property must be set to Both.

This allows the XMLport to both import and export data depending on user selection during runtime.

Formats the data in a non-fixed length CSV format.The Format property must be set to VariableText.

VariableText is used for delimited text formats like CSV, which do not have a fixed length for fields.

Developed by using any coding language: Connect app

Developed by using AL language in Visual Studio Code: Add-on app

In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, there are distinct types of applications that can be developed: Connect apps and Add-on apps. Each has its own development language requirements:

Connect apps:

Connect apps are designed to connect Business Central with external services or applications. They are often developed using a variety of programming languages, not limited to the AL language, and can be hosted outside of the Business Central environment. Therefore, when a description states that the app is developed using any coding language, it generally refers to a Connect app. This type of app integrates with Business Central through APIs and web services.

Add-on apps:

Add-on apps are built to extend the functionality of Business Central within the application itself. These are developed using the AL language, which is the programming language for Business Central, and they are created and managed within the Visual Studio Code environment with the AL Language extension. An Add-on app is typically a Business Central extension that is directly installed into the Business Central environment.

The language and environment used for developing these apps are key differentiators between Connect apps and Add-on apps.

To roll back changes to a test method after run time, you should:

Set the TransactionModel attribute to AutoRollback.

To run an approve action on a test page named TestPageA, you should:

Configure TestPageA.Approve.Invoke().

In Business Central's testing framework, the TransactionModel attribute can be set to AutoRollback. This ensures that any changes made during the test are rolled back after the test is complete, leaving the database in its original state.

For running an action on a test page, you would use the 'Invoke' method on the action you wish to perform. In this case, to run an approve action on TestPageA, you would use TestPageA.Approve.Invoke() within your test codeunit. This simulates the user action of approving something on the page.

These actions ensure that the testing environment is properly set up to test specific functionalities without persisting test data and to invoke actions as part of the test scenarios.

Read Scale-Out:

Read scale-out is a feature in Business Central that allows you to improve performance by distributing read-only queries (such as the ones from the ticketAPI) across multiple read replicas in the cloud database. This reduces the load on the primary database and helps improve the response time for read-intensive operations, like analyzing POS data through the ticketAPI.

Data Access Intent - ReadOnly:

When enabling read scale-out, you can configure the DataAccessIntent property of APIs to be ReadOnly. This directs the system to use read replicas to handle read-only queries, which enhances performance by offloading such queries from the primary database.

Why Not Other Options?

Option A (ODataReadonlyGetEnabled): This parameter is unrelated to read scale-out and primarily affects OData services behavior, not API performance tuning.

Option B (AccessByPermission): Setting the permission to Read does not directly affect the performance. It only controls access based on user permissions.

Option D (DataAccessIntent ReadOnly): While setting this property to ReadOnly helps in read-only operations, enabling read scale-out (option C) ensures the underlying infrastructure is optimized to handle such read operations, which is the fundamental action required.

Reference Documentation:

Read Scale-Out in Business Central

Data Access Intent in AL

Statements:

Replace line 16 with ResponseText := ResponseMessage

Answer: NoThe correct way to handle the response is to use ReadAs or similar methods to read the content from the response, not just assign the ResponseMessage directly to ResponseText. Hence, this statement is incorrect.

In line 13, change the 'text/plain' value to 'application/json'

Answer: YesSince the procedure is expected to send a POST request with JSON content, changing the content type to 'application/json' is correct. This ensures that the server understands the content is in JSON format.

Replace line 14 with Client.DefaultRequestHeaders.Add('Authorization', 'Bearer ' + Token);

Answer: NoIn AL, the authorization headers are managed through HttpHeaders, and the Client.DefaultRequestHeaders method is not available in AL. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.

In line 10, replace WriteFrom with ReadAs

Answer: NoWriteFrom is the correct method for sending the request content, as it writes data from the RequestText variable to the HttpContent. ReadAs is used for reading the response, not for writing the request content.

For the requirements provided, the appropriate page types should be selected as follows:

Display relevant insights in the Housekeeping Role Center: HeadlinePart

Display the additional information for the Room table: FactBox

Configure the first installation: StandardDialog

Comprehensive Detailed ExplanationIn the context of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, page types are crucial for determining how information is presented to the user.

HeadlinePart: This page type is designed to display key data and insights in a concise and visually appealing manner, often used in Role Centers to highlight important information. It is suitable for the Housekeeping Role Center to display relevant insights.

FactBox: This page type is used to display supplementary information related to a selected record in the main part of the page. It's often used to show additional details about a record in a list, card, or document page. In this scenario, it is suitable for showing additional information about a specific Room when viewing the Room table.

StandardDialog: This is a page type that provides a modal dialog for user interaction, commonly used for setup wizards, confirmations, and input forms that require user action before proceeding. This is appropriate for configuring the first installation, where a step-by-step guided interaction is necessary.

A user observes error messages such as:

"Unhandled UI: Message"

"Unhandled UI: Confirm"

These messages indicate that the test code is not handling system prompts like Message and Confirm dialogs, which can appear during test execution.

Options Explanation:

Message Handler and Confirm Handler methods are used to intercept and handle these UI prompts during automated testing.

These methods should be added to the test runner codeunit, which is responsible for running the tests and handling these system-level interactions.

The task is to identify unwanted incoming web service calls during the last seven days. To do this, we need to look at KQL (Kusto Query Language) queries that would filter out web service calls based on the timestamp (to ensure the calls are within the last seven days) and by certain characteristics that would indicate they are unwanted, such as the wrong type of protocol (SOAP in this case, as Contoso Ltd. plans to dismiss using it).

Looking at the options:

Option A: This query selects all traces where the timestamp is within the last 7 days and where the custom dimension has a value of 'RT0008', and where the category is either 'ODataV4', 'ODataV3', or 'Api'. This query would show all API calls except SOAP, so it does not directly answer the question about unwanted calls.

Option B: This query filters for traces with a timestamp within the last 7 days, where 'RT0008' is present, and specifically looks for the category 'SOAP'. This query is correct because it directly targets SOAP calls, which are the unwanted calls according to Contoso Ltd.'s plans.

Option C: Similar to option B, this query filters for traces within the last 7 days and looks for 'RT0008' but uses the equality operator for the category 'SOAP'. This would also correctly return the unwanted SOAP calls.

Option D: This query also filters for traces within the last 7 days, but it excludes the 'ODataV4' category, which doesn't necessarily target the unwanted SOAP calls.

Option E: This query selects traces where the timestamp is within the last 7 days and the custom dimension has 'RT0008'. However, it filters out categories 'ODataV4' and 'Api', which does not directly help in identifying the unwanted SOAP calls.

Therefore, the queries that should be used to determine if there are unwanted incoming web service calls (SOAP calls) in the tenant during the last seven days are Options B and C. These queries are specific to identifying SOAP protocol usage, which is what Contoso Ltd. considers unwanted.

 Verbosity::Critical: This ensures that the telemetry logs the failure as a critical event.

 DataClassification::CustomerContent: This helps classify the error as related to customer data.

 TelemetryScope::All: This ensures that the error is visible across all relevant telemetry scopes, making it easier to monitor the issue in real-time.

 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.

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 the context of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, an extension may not appear in the tenant for several reasons, particularly after an upgrade to a new major version.

Option A suggests that the extension was published as a DEV extension, which typically would not cause it to disappear after an upgrade because DEV extensions are intended for development and testing within sandbox environments.

Option B indicates that the extension was not compatible with the new version within 60 days of the first notification. This is a likely reason because Microsoft enforces compatibility rules, and extensions that are not made compatible within the specified timeframe might be removed or disabled.

Option C refers to the extension being published as a PTE (Per-Tenant Extension) and mentions the Platform parameter not being updated. This could cause issues, but not specifically the disappearance of the extension after an upgrade.

Option D expands on Option C by adding that both the Platform and Runtime parameters were not updated in the application file. This is a critical aspect because if these parameters are not correctly set to indicate compatibility with the new version of Business Central, the extension could be disabled or removed.

Option E is similar to Option B but mentions a 90-day period. This option does not align with standard Business Central practices for version compatibility requirements.

Therefore, the two possible reasons for the disappearance of the extension in the tenant after an upgrade are that the extension was not compatible with the new version within the required timeframe (Option B) and that the extension was published as a PTE without the Platform and Runtime parameters being updated (Option D).

The correct sequence of actions to configure telemetry for the SaaS tenant and test whether the ingested signals are displayed would be:

Create an Azure Application Insights instance by using the Azure Portal in the Customer's subscription.

Select the environment in the Admin Center and place the connection string in the Application Insights Connection String field.

Select the Application Insights instance, select Logs and then inspect the Traces table.

To set up telemetry for a SaaS tenant using Azure Application Insights, you need to follow these steps:

Create an Azure Application Insights instance: This is the first step where you create an instance in Azure that will collect the telemetry data. This should be done in the customer's Azure subscription because it's their data that you're monitoring.

Configure the SaaS tenant to use the created Application Insights instance: This involves entering the correct connection string in the Business Central Admin Center so that telemetry data from the tenant is sent to the Application Insights instance.

Verify that telemetry is being collected: After configuring, you would check if the telemetry is arriving as expected by inspecting the Traces table in the Azure Application Insights instance. The 'Traces' table holds the telemetry data, which you can query to verify that the correct signals are being ingested.

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.

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.

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.

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.