Dynamics Business Central / NAV Developer Digest - Vol. 511
ArcherPoint’s Developer Digest focuses on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics NAV development. This week’s volume includes using ChatGPT inside VS code, setting isolation levels in automated tests, news from Directions EMEA 2024, and the move to Agentic AI.
The Dynamics 365 Business Central community, consisting of developers, project managers, and consultants, collaborates across various platforms to share valuable insights. At ArcherPoint, we greatly value their dedication and expertise. To ensure widespread access to this technical knowledge, we created Developer Digest.
Developer Tip of the Day: ChatGPT inside Visual Studio code
Kyle posted: I am learning more useful tasks that ChatGPT can do for AL coding. Before today, I was just using it for spicy auto-complete, letting the AI suggest completing the current line of code. Useful, timesaving, but only a small amount of help.
Today I figured out how to generate a Page for a Table I just created. While being on the table you want, do Ctrl-I to bring up ChatGPT, and type this:
Create a list page for this table and include all fields and add tooltips
It will create the page inside the table AL file, so you have to do a cut/paste to get it into a new Page AL file, but it is mostly complete. The only thing I have had to add was Rec. in front of the fields (no more implied with!)
Matt T added: You can also use AZ/AL Dev Tools to fix the implied “with” issue.
Heinrich V asked: Looks cool! Does it grab the next available object ID correctly? Also, from runtime 13, remember that Tooltips can (and probably should) go into the table fields, not in the pages themselves.
Kyle answered: It does not choose the correct object ID. It makes the page ID the same as the table ID.
Setting isolation levels in automated tests
Jon Long posted: Isolation in Automated Tests is probably best per test, not per codeunit. Here’s all you need to do to set your isolation level to rollback any changes in your test:
[TransactionModel(TransactionModel::AutoRollback)]
[Test]
procedure TestComponentLineQtyUpdatesChildLines()
So long, Jon! We wish you well in your retirement!
Business Central news at Directions EMEA 2024
Microsoft had some exciting announcements at Directions EMEA 2024 in Vienna last month. Among the top headlines:
- Microsoft is making significant investments in Business Central in areas including generative AI and Copilot (of course!), sustainability reporting, Project and Field Services, and more.
- More than 40,000 customers use Business Central online.
- The new Sales Order Agent can be used to automate quotes and orders, email replies, inventory availability, and more.
- New Chat capability in Copilot
- Plus, some recommendations on securing Business Central online and on-prem.
Check out Roberto Stefanetti’s blog, Directions EMEA 2024, to learn more.
The move toward Agentic AI
Speaking of AI Agents, Stefano Demiliani has posted an excellent blog outlining AI agents and how developers can leverage Agentic AI. As he describes it:
“Agentic AI uses sophisticated reasoning and iterative planning to solve complex, multi-step problems autonomously. It works through a four-step process: perceiving data from various sources, reasoning to generate solutions, acting by executing tasks, and learning through a feedback loop to continuously improve. This type of AI is particularly useful in scenarios that require handling complex workflows and making autonomous decisions.”
To find out more, read Demiliani’s blog, AI, Agents… and now?
Are you interested in Dynamics NAV and Business Central development? Check out our collection of NAV/BC Development Blogs.
Read “How To” blogs from ArcherPoint for practical advice on using Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Dynamics 365 Business Central.