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In the world of Microsoft Power Platform Developer exams, understanding various concepts and features is crucial for success. One such concept that plays a significant role in plug-in logic is the implementation of pre-images and post-images. In this article, we will dive into the notion of pre-images and post-images, their applications, and how they can be utilized to enhance the functionality of Power Platform plug-ins.
Pre-images, also known as ‘pre-entity images,’ refer to the state of an entity record before it undergoes any changes within a plug-in execution pipeline. They provide developers with the ability to access and analyze the values of entity attributes before any modifications occur. By utilizing pre-images, developers can perform comparisons, validations, or other necessary operations based on the initial state of the record.
To retrieve pre-images, Power Platform developers can easily configure them through the Plug-in Registration tool. By selecting the "Pre-image"
option when registering a step, developers can designate the entity fields they wish to retrieve, giving them access to the original values before modifications.
Post-images, also referred to as ‘post-entity images,’ contain the state of an entity record after changes have been made within the plug-in execution pipeline. They allow developers to access and analyze the modified values of entity attributes. Post-images are particularly useful when subsequent actions need to be performed based on the changes made to the record.
Similar to pre-images, post-images can be configured using the Plug-in Registration tool. By selecting the "Post-image"
option during the registration process, developers can choose the relevant entity fields they wish to retrieve, providing access to the modified values.
Pre-images and post-images are essential tools that enable Microsoft Power Platform developers to enhance the functionality of plug-ins. By utilizing these images, developers can access the original and modified values of entity records, allowing for data validation, comparisons, and trigger actions based on specific conditions. Understanding the applications and configuration of pre-images and post-images is integral to passing the Power Platform Developer exams and harnessing the full power of the platform.
Answer: True
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46 Replies to “Implement Pre Images and Post Images to support plug-in logic”
This blog post is really helpful! Implementing Pre Images and Post Images was a bit confusing, but this clarified a lot.
Thanks for this detailed post. It cleared up a lot of my doubts.
Great post! This helped me pass the PL-400 exam.
Thanks a lot for this post!
Does the use of images in plug-ins affect performance?
It’s always good to assess performance impacts in high-throughput scenarios, but for most cases, the impact is minimal.
There’s minor overhead in retrieving images, but it’s generally negligible unless working with large data sets.
Excellent post!
One of the best posts I’ve read on this topic. Thank you!
The post image model is fantastic! Thanks for the detailed explanation.
In terms of security, any concerns using images?
Good point. Avoid including confidential information in images unless absolutely necessary.
Ensure that sensitive data is handled appropriately and that images are not exposed unnecessarily. Always follow best security practices.
The images concept in plug-ins is a bit overkill in some scenarios, don’t you think?
It really depends on the use case. For auditing and validation, it’s invaluable. For smaller tasks, maybe not necessary.
Haven’t seen better content on Pre and Post Images. Fantastic!
How do you handle exceptions when working with Pre and Post Images?
Logging is crucial. You can also use a retry mechanism in case of intermittent issues.
Wrap your code in try-catch blocks and log the exceptions. Ensure images are registered correctly to avoid null references.
In some cases, Pre Images are enough. Has anyone else found Post Images redundant?
Some scenarios do only require Pre Images, but Post Images are useful for validation to ensure the state after operation is as expected.
Could someone share a code snippet for accessing Post Images in a plug-in?
You can access Post Images using the context like this: `var postImage = (Entity)context.PostEntityImages[‘ImageAlias’];`
Just make sure to replace ‘ImageAlias’ with the actual alias you used while registering the image.
Is it possible to access both Pre and Post Images in the same plug-in?
Absolutely! You can register both images for your plug-in step and access them through the context.
Yes, just ensure both images are defined in your plug-in registration so you can access properties from both snapshots.
Can we retrieve images for any entity attribute?
Yes, any attribute that you define in the image registration can be retrieved.
Just ensure those attributes are included in the columns specified for the image.
I find it difficult to debug issues related to images. Any suggestions?
Agree on logging. Using the Plugin Registration Tool to simulate execution can also provide insights.
Use logging extensively to track the flow of data. Debugging through Visual Studio can also help identify where things go wrong.
I really appreciate this post! Helped me a lot.
I think Pre and Post Images are underutilized. They can simplify complex logic a lot.
Absolutely! They provide a clear snapshot which makes it easier to write robust logic.
Can someone explain the difference between Pre Images and Post Images in the context of a plug-in?
Adding to that, you use Pre Images to compare changes and Post Images to determine the final state of the data after your logic runs.
Sure! Pre Images are snapshots of the entity’s attributes before the core platform operation, whereas Post Images are snapshots after the operation.
Caught a tiny typo in the post but overall very informative!
I get a bit lost when there are multiple entities involved. Any tips?
Referencing the correct alias and carefully mapping attributes can help avoid confusion.
Pay close attention to the entity aliases and ensure correct image registration for each entity involved.
I’m a bit confused. When should I use Pre Images and Post Images together?
Use them together when you need to compare the state of an entity before and after an operation. It’s useful for auditing purposes.
If your business logic depends on both previous and current states, using both is essential.