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Preface

The goal of this book is to explain Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2016 from the root level and understand the different capabilities of the system. The book will give you a deep understanding of the system, which will help you to improve your activities such as development, implementation, testing, version control, and maintenance. The book heavily focuses on the methods for improving the performance of the system so as to minimize the cost on one hand and improve the productivity and user experience on the other. The book mostly covers real-life scenarios and presents solution in simplified manner to engage all kind of readers.

After reading this book, you will understand the different features, techniques, and technologies that directly impact on the implementation of the system. The book focuses on reducing the time and increasing the productivity of developers, consultants, and administrators and provides the ways to handle the process in a standard fashion.

What this book covers

Chapter 1 , Microsoft Dynamics NAV Installation, explains about the installation process of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2016 in detail. It mostly covers the cloud technologies and how NAV can be deployed on cloud. The chapter also explains in detail how PowerShell can be better utilized to make life easier

Chapter 2, Upgraded Features and Configurations in Dynamics NAV 2016, helps you understand the different components that take part in configuration processes. The chapter covers most of the latest features and their implications in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2016. You will get an overview on design pattern and their significance to the system.

Chapter 3, The C/AL and VB Programming, explains the core concept of coding with the C/AL programming language and the compilation details. You will get some hands-on practice with VB programming if you follow the contents carefully. The main intention of this chapter is not to provide the details about the functions and features, but provide the core concept which will boost the concept of computer programming with respect to C/Side Development Environment. This chapter is highly recommended, not only for technical professionals, but also for non-technical readers.

Chapter 4, Testing and Debugging, shows you how to find out the testing technique in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2016. Here you will also learn how to write your own test code and test it yourself. In addition to the self-generated unit test, we will examine the test codeunit provided by Microsoft which is more than 600 in count. You will learn how they can be used to test the standard process. This chapter will discuss the core concept of testing with respect to the Dynamics NAV system.

Chapter 5, Design and Development Considerations, explains the design and development considerations of Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Most consultants do not understand the importance of design considerations and they end up generating a weak design, and eventually an inefficient system. This chapter is intended to provide a broad perspective on how to approach any design or design operation, and how to convert that design to the actual development. The chapter will also clarify the difference between customization and development. It also explains how you can understand the dataflow using a special feature called test posting.

Chapter 6, Version Control and Code Management, covers totally new concept of version control, which is somewhat new to the Dynamics NAV world. For most experienced consultants and developers who have strong C# and other programming experience, this concept might not be that new, but those who have always worked with the NAV system might perceive this as being new. You will learn the most basic ways to harness some of the functionality of version control in Dynamics NAV. For some, it might look like a lengthy process to actually implement, but once you understand the core concepts, you will love it and implement it in team projects in particular. In this chapter, you will also understand the pattern that can be used while branching and how it can be of great importance while using version control.

Chapter 7, Tuning Up the NAV System, shows how you can avoid designing a low performing system in the first place, and secondly you will observe how you can better optimize low performing system. It is essential to understand the core of the system and its performance in standard given condition so that we can easily sense any slowdown in the system.

Chapter 8, Security in Dynamics NAV 2016, explains all about security aspects of the Microsoft Dynamics NAV system. You will be able to consider some of the important contents of security system. You will also understand how to prevent your system from different malicious logics and how to reduce the risk of security failures. It is highly recommended for everyone, especially administrators, to understand the concepts in this chapter in order to provide a robust defensive environment to the Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

Chapter 9, Upgrade and Migration, explains about the modern upgrade process. You will also get an overview of the most optimal and efficient ways of upgrading process, which involve automating the processes, analyzing the time and effort, and understanding the core concept behind the upgrade project. You will also perceive the difference between the upgrade processes if carried out on different versions and how that might affect the project duration.

Chapter 10, Interfacing NAV with Other Applications, helps you understand the most important concept of integration with external systems. An interface is like a trade route through which the outside world can help your system grow. The best software has the most secure and powerful integration system so that it can be extended as per your requirements. Here you can learn all the concepts that can be used in Microsoft Dynamics NAV to make it an even better and stronger solution.

Chapter 11, Extending Dynamics NAV 2016, helps you understand the different integration concepts of the Dynamics NAV 2016 system with other Microsoft and related technologies. You will learn how you can better utilize the power of other languages and technologies in the Dynamics NAV system. You will also get a glimpse of different reporting tools, some NAV based extensions, and how they can be implemented along with Dynamics NAV system.

Chapter 12, The Future of NAV, covers an overview of major future products from the perspective of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2016. In addition to the future releases of Microsoft Dynamics NAV, you will also see an overview of closely related technologies such as Dynamics 365, which is one of the most talked about and most confusing technologies in terms of future of Dynamics technology. You will also find out about the new development environment, which can be used to develop vertical solutions such as extensions, with a simple interface.

What you need for this book

The following software is required for this book:

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2016
Visual Studio Community Edition
Visual Studio Data Tool
Online subscription to Azure and Office 365
Online subscription for PowerBI, Dynamics 365
SQL Server 2014 Management Studio
Microsoft Office 2016
Internet Explorer 11
Notepad

Who this book is for

This book is ideal for administrators, developers, and consultants who are looking to take their knowledge of Dynamics NAV to new heights. You're expected to have a basic knowledge of Dynamics NAV workflows and C/AL, C/SIDE development.

Conventions

In this book, you will find a number of text styles that distinguish between different kinds of information. Here are some examples of these styles and an explanation of their meaning.

Code words in text, database table names, folder names, filenames, file extensions, pathnames, dummy URLs, user input, and Twitter handles are shown as follows: "Also call this local function, AddItem, into the OnRun trigger."

A block of code is set as follows:

LOCAL AddItem()
CLEARLASTERROR;
IF ExceptionHandle.Try('12345','MyTestItem') THEN
  MESSAGE('Item added Successfully')
ELSE
  MESSAGE('Error Returned Error : %1 - %2', 
  GETLASTERRORCODE,GETLASTERRORTEXT);

When we wish to draw your attention to a particular part of a code block, the relevant lines or items are set in bold:

LOCAL AddItem()
CLEARLASTERROR;
IF ExceptionHandle.Try('12345','MyTestItem') THEN
  MESSAGE('Item added Successfully')
ELSE
  MESSAGE('Error Returned Error : %1 - %2', 
  GETLASTERRORCODE,GETLASTERRORTEXT);

Any command-line input or output is written as follows:

C:\Python34\Scripts> pip install -upgrade pip
C:\Python34\Scripts> pip install pandas

New terms and important words are shown in bold. Words that you see on the screen, for example, in menus or dialog boxes, appear in the text like this: "In the Report Properties window, click on the code option in the left pane."

Note

Warnings or important notes appear in a box like this.

Tip

Tips and tricks appear like this.

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