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As a Microsoft Power Platform Developer, understanding the various code components, plug-ins, and custom APIs within the Design Dataverse is vital. These powerful tools allow developers to extend and customize the functionality of the Power Platform. In this article, we will delve into the important concepts and features related to Design Dataverse code components, plug-ins, and custom APIs, focusing on the skills required for the Microsoft Power Platform Developer exam.
Design Dataverse code components help developers create reusable code snippets that can be easily shared across multiple apps or solutions. This allows for consistent and efficient development while maintaining code quality. The code components are created using TypeScript or JavaScript and are based on the client-side programming model.
Plug-ins play a crucial role in extending the functionality of the platform by providing business logic processing capabilities. With plug-ins, developers can intercept and respond to various events and operations within the Dataverse, such as create, update, delete, and retrieve. Understanding how to configure and deploy plug-ins is crucial for the Power Platform Developer exam.
Custom APIs enable developers to expose their own methods or functions that can be used by other applications and services. These APIs can be created using various programming languages, but for the Power Platform, TypeScript and JavaScript are commonly used. Developers must understand how to authenticate, secure, and configure these APIs for effective integration with other solutions.
To succeed in the exam, Power Platform Developers must be proficient in designing and implementing code components. This includes creating reusable components, understanding the component lifecycle, and handling events and data manipulation. Familiarity with Power Apps component framework (PCF) and its development process is essential.
The exam evaluates the developer’s ability to develop plug-ins that cater to specific business logic requirements. This involves understanding the plug-in execution pipeline, customizing pre- and post-event stages, debugging and troubleshooting plug-ins, and registering plug-ins using the Plugin Registration Tool.
Developers must be versed in creating custom APIs to expose their functionalities to other applications or services. This includes configuring and securing the API, implementing authorization mechanisms, handling input/output parameters, and using various Microsoft Dataverse SDKs in the implementation process.
The Power Platform Developer exam expects candidates to incorporate external services into the Dataverse ecosystem. Developers should be able to establish connections with external services, leverage APIs, handle authentication, and perform data operations with external systems such as SharePoint, Azure services, or custom web services.
Mastering Design Dataverse code components, plug-ins, and custom APIs is crucial for becoming a successful Microsoft Power Platform Developer. By understanding these concepts and their practical implementation, developers can extend the Power Platform’s capabilities, build customized solutions, and integrate with external systems effectively. Keep exploring the Microsoft documentation and practicing hands-on exercises to enhance your skills and ensure success in the Power Platform Developer exam.
a) Plug-ins
b) Custom APIs
c) Workflows
d) Business Rules
e) Forms
Correct answer: a) Plug-ins and b) Custom APIs
a) To extend the functionality of the system by running custom code
b) To customize the appearance of forms and views
c) To define the business logic and workflow for a specific entity
d) To create custom reports and charts
Correct answer: a) To extend the functionality of the system by running custom code
a) C#
b) JavaScript
c) Python
d) TypeScript
Correct answer: a) C# and b) JavaScript
a) Create custom workflows
b) Integrate with external systems
c) Customize the user interface
d) Define business rules
Correct answer: b) Integrate with external systems
a) Write code directly in the web browser’s developer tools
b) Use a standalone code editor or integrated development environment (IDE)
c) Use the built-in code editor in the Dataverse environment
d) Write code in a word processing software and paste it into the environment
Correct answer: b) Use a standalone code editor or integrated development environment (IDE)
a) Querying external databases
b) Sending emails
c) Creating records in other entities
d) Updating field values based on specific conditions
Correct answer: a) Querying external databases, b) Sending emails, c) Creating records in other entities, and d) Updating field values based on specific conditions
a) A user opening a specific record
b) A button click on a form
c) A record being created or updated
d) A scheduled job
Correct answer: c) A record being created or updated
a) True
b) False
Correct answer: a) True
a) OAuth
b) Basic authentication
c) Windows Authentication
d) Token authentication
Correct answer: a) OAuth
a) By exporting and importing solution files
b) By configuring them in the security settings
c) By adding them to the site map
d) By creating a new web resource
Correct answer: a) By exporting and importing solution files
39 Replies to “Design Dataverse code components including plug-ins and Custom APIs”
Excellent breakdown on how to create plug-ins for Dataverse!
Are there any gotchas for using Custom APIs side by side with OOTB APIs?
Yes, ensure your Custom APIs do not conflict with OOTB endpoints and properly handle exceptions to avoid issues.
Appreciate the examples given! Really clarified some doubts for me.
Really needed this! Thanks a lot!
How does one debug a Custom API during development?
You can use tools like Postman to test your API endpoints and log detailed error messages for debugging.
Any tips on optimizing plug-in performance?
Minimize API calls within the plug-in, use batch processing when possible, and always profile and optimize the code.
When designing a plug-in, is it better to use synchronous or asynchronous execution?
It depends on the use case. Synchronous execution is best for real-time responses, while asynchronous is good for tasks that can be delayed or are more resource-intensive.
How can you ensure backward compatibility when updating Custom APIs?
Version your APIs and avoid breaking changes to existing endpoints. It’s a good practice to support older versions for a transition period.
Great post overall, but a bit too basic for advanced users.
Can someone explain the differences in performance between plug-ins and Custom APIs?
Plug-ins run within the Dataverse transaction pipeline, while Custom APIs can be more isolated and optimized independently, offering better performance for certain tasks.
Thanks for this useful article!
In Custom APIs, how are input and output parameters handled?
You define the parameters in the API’s request and response schema. Dataverse will handle data serialization and deserialization.
Can you use managed solutions for deploying Custom APIs and plug-ins?
Yes, packing your APIs and plug-ins in managed solutions helps with version control and safe deployments.
What are the best practices for unit testing Dataverse plug-ins?
Utilize mocking frameworks and create isolated unit tests that target specific functionality, ensuring minimal dependency on external systems.
Best way to handle transaction rollbacks in plug-ins?
Use the IOrganizationService to manage Dataverse transactions and handle rollbacks by throwing exceptions where needed.
Thanks for the insights! Really helpful.
Could someone share a use case where Custom APIs were more beneficial than plug-ins?
Custom APIs are great when you need a reusable endpoint that multiple clients can call, especially if the operations don’t always need to be within the Dataverse transaction pipeline.
Could someone clarify if Custom APIs replace using Custom Actions in Dataverse?
Custom APIs offer more flexibility and can be more performant compared to Custom Actions. It’s a great addition, but they don’t entirely replace Custom Actions.
What’s the best way to log errors in plug-ins and Custom APIs?
Use the TraceService in plug-ins and implement custom logging mechanisms for Custom APIs, such as Application Insights.
Don’t see much mention of security best practices for Custom APIs. Any suggestions?
Use OAuth for authentication, validate all input parameters, and handle exceptions to avoid exposing internal errors.
Appreciate the detailed guide on Custom API creation!
Are there any limits on the size of a Custom API payload?
Yes, Dataverse imposes a size limit on requests. For large payloads, consider splitting the data or using a different approach.
Does using Azure Functions with Dataverse offer better scalability for plug-ins?
Azure Functions offer a serverless architecture and can scale automatically, which can be beneficial for certain plug-in scenarios.