book

Inside Microsoft Dynamics® AX 2012

Name: Inside Microsoft Dynamics® AX 2012
Author: The Microsoft Dynamics AX Team and Margaret Sherman
ISBN: 9780735667419

by The Microsoft Dynamics AX Team and Margaret Sherman

October 2012

Intermediate to advanced

784 pages

26h 8m

English

Microsoft Press

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Inside Microsoft Dynamics® AX 2012
Foreword
Introduction
The history of Microsoft Dynamics AXWho should read this bookAssumptionsWho should not read this bookOrganization of this bookConventions and features in this bookSystem requirementsCode samplesInstalling the code samplesUsing the code samplesAcknowledgmentsMicrosoft Dynamics product teamMicrosoft PressNew arrivalsErrata & book supportWe want to hear from youStay in touch
I. A Tour of the Development Environment
1. Architectural Overview
IntroductionMicrosoft Dynamics AX five-layer solution architectureMicrosoft Dynamics AX application platform architectureApplication development environmentsData tier of the Microsoft Dynamics AX platformMiddle tier of the Microsoft Dynamics AX platformPresentation tier of the Microsoft Dynamics AX platformMicrosoft Dynamics AX application meta-model architectureApplication data element typesMorphX user interface control element typesWorkflow element typesCode element typesServices element typesRole-based security element typesWeb client element typesDocumentation and resource element typesLicense and configuration element types
2. The MorphX Development Environment and Tools
IntroductionApplication Object TreeNavigate through the AOTCreate elements in the AOTModify elements in the AOTRefresh elements in the AOTElement actions in the AOTElement layers and models in the AOTProjectsCreate a projectAutomatically generate a projectGroup masksFiltersDevelopment toolsProject typesProperty sheetX++ code editorShortcut keysEditor scriptsLabel editorCreate a labelReference labels from X++Code compilerBest Practices toolRulesSuppress errors and warningsAdd custom rulesDebuggerEnable debuggingDebugger user interfaceDebugger shortcut keysReverse Engineering toolUML data modelUML object modelEntity relationship data modelTable Browser toolFind toolCompare toolStart the Compare toolUse the Compare toolCompare APIsCross-Reference toolVersion controlElement life cycleQuality checksSource code casingCommon version control tasksWork with labelsSynchronize elementsView the synchronization logShow the history of an elementCompare revisionsView pending elementsCreate a buildIntegrate Microsoft Dynamics AX with other version control systems
3. Microsoft Dynamics AX and .NET
IntroductionUse third-party assembliesUse strong-named assembliesReference a managed DLL from Microsoft Dynamics AXCode against the assembly in X++Write managed codeDebug managed codeProxiesHot swap assemblies on the server
4. The X++ Programming Language
IntroductionJobsThe type systemValue typesReference typesType hierarchiesThe anytype typeThe common typeThe object typeExtended data typesSyntaxVariable declarationsExpressionsStatementsData-aware statementsException handlingInteroperabilityCLR interoperabilityCOM interoperabilityMacrosCommentsXML documentationClasses and interfacesFieldsMethodsDelegatesPre- and post-event handlersAttributesCode access securityCompiling and running X++ as .NET CILDesign and implementation patternsClass-level patternsParameter methodConstructor encapsulationFactorySerialization with the pack and unpack methodsTable-level patternsFind and exists methodsPolymorphic associationsGeneric record reference
II. Developing with Microsoft Dynamics AX
5. Designing the User Experience
IntroductionA role-tailored design approachUser experience componentsNavigation layer formsWork layer formsRole Center pagesCuesDesign Role CentersArea pagesDesign area pagesList pagesA simple scenario: taking a call from a customerUse a list page as an alternative to a reportDesign list pagesDetails formsTransaction details formsEnterprise Portal web client user experienceNavigation layer formsWork layer formsDesign for Enterprise PortalDesign for your users

6. The Microsoft Dynamics AX Client
IntroductionWorking with formsForm patternsForm metadataMetadata associationsMetadata inheritanceForm data sourcesDynalinksTable inheritanceUnit of WorkDate effectivitySurrogate foreign keysMetadata for form data sourcesForm queriesQueryBuildDataSource and QueryRunQueryBuildDataSource methodsQuery and QueryRun objectsCopyCallerQuery propertyQuery filtersAdding controlsControl overridesControl data bindingDesign node propertiesRuntime modificationsAction controlsButtonsAction pane and Action pane stripLayout controlsGroupTabPageGridInput controlsField-bound controlsMethod-bound controlsUnbound controlsManagedHost controlOther controlsUsing partsTypes of partsReference a part from a formAdding navigation itemsMenuItemMenuMenu definitionsCustomizing forms with codeMethod overridesAuto variablesBusiness logicCustom lookupsIntegrating with the Microsoft Office clientMake data sources available to Office Add-insMake a service availableMake a query availableBuild an Excel templateBuild a Word templateAdd templates for users
7. Enterprise Portal
IntroductionEnterprise Portal architectureEnterprise Portal componentsWeb partsAOT elementsDatasetsEnterprise Portal framework controlsAxDataSourceAxFormAxMultiSectionAxSectionAxMultiColumnAxColumnAxGroupAxGridViewAxHierarchicalGridViewAxContextMenuAxFilterAxLookupAxActionPaneAxToolbarAxPopup controlsBoundField controlsAxContentPanelAxPartContentAreaAxInfoPartAxFormPartCueGroupPartControlAxDatePickerAxReportViewerDeveloping for Enterprise PortalCreate a model-driven list pageDefine a list page interaction classCreate a details pageModal dialog settingsAJAXSession disposal and cachingContextDataMetadataProxy classesViewStateLabelsFormattingValidationError handlingSecuritySecure web elementsRecord context and encryptionSharePoint integrationSite navigationSite definitions, page templates, and web partsImport and deploy a web part pageEnterprise SearchThemes
8. Workflow in Microsoft Dynamics AX
IntroductionMicrosoft Dynamics AX 2012 workflow infrastructureWindows Workflow FoundationKey workflow conceptsWorkflow document and workflow document classWorkflow categoriesWorkflow typesEvent handlersMenu itemsWorkflow elementsQueuesProvidersWorkflowsWorkflow instancesWork itemsWorkflow architectureWorkflow runtimeWorkflow runtime interactionLogical approval and task workflowsWorkflow life cycleImplementing workflowsCreate workflow artifacts, dependent artifacts, and business logicState managementCreate a workflow categoryCreate the workflow document classAdd a workflow display menu itemActivate the workflow
9. Reporting in Microsoft Dynamics AX
IntroductionInside the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 reporting frameworkClient-side reporting solutionsServer-side reporting solutionsReport execution sequencePlan your reporting solutionReporting and usersRoles in report developmentCreate production reportsModel elements for reportsControlsDesignsDatasetsSSRS extensionsMicrosoft Dynamics AX extensionsDisable the rendering extensionsData processing extensionsReport execution sequence with Microsoft Dynamics AX custom extensionsCreate charts for Enterprise PortalMicrosoft Dynamics AX chart development toolsIntegration with Microsoft Dynamics AXCreate an EP Chart ControlChart control markup elementsBind the chart control to the datasetData seriesSingle series datasetsMultiseries datasetsDynamic series datasetsAdd interactive functions to a chartOverride the default chart formatTroubleshoot the reporting frameworkThe report server cannot be validatedA report cannot be generatedA chart cannot be debugged because of SharePoint sandbox issues
10. BI and Analytics
IntroductionComponents of the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 BI solutionImplementing the prebuilt BI solutionImplement the prerequisitesConfigure an SSAS serverDeploy cubesDeploy cubes in an environment with multiple partitionsProcess cubesProvision users in Microsoft Dynamics AXAssociate a user with a profileProvide access to the OLAP databaseCustomizing the prebuilt BI solutionConfigure analytic contentCustomize cubesChoose the project to updateSelect metadataSelect financial dimensionsSelect calendarsSelect languagesAdd support for currency conversionConfirm your changesSave the updated projectDeploy and process cubesExtend cubesDSVData sourceDimensions, measures, and measure groupsKPIs and calculationsIntegrate Microsoft Dynamics AX analytic components with external data sourcesCreating cubesIdentify requirementsDefine metadataDefine perspectivesDefine table-level propertiesDefine field-level propertiesGenerate and deploy the cubeDefine the projectAdd currency conversion logicSave the projectDeploy and process the projectAdd KPIs and calculationsDisplaying analytic content in Role CentersProvide insights tailored to a personaChoose a presentation tool based on a personaSQL Server Power View reportsExpose a Power View report in a Role CenterAllow users to edit a Power View reportExcelBusiness Overview web part and KPI List web partAdd a KPI to the KPI List web partAdd a custom time period filterPeriod template: CurrentDateIndicator: Month_LastMonthDevelop reports with Report BuilderDevelop analytic reports by using Visual Studio tools for Microsoft Dynamics AX
11. Security, Licensing, and Configuration
IntroductionSecurity framework overviewAuthenticationAuthorizationPermissionsPrivilegesDutiesProcess cyclesSecurity rolesData securityDevelop security artifactsSet permissions for a formSet permissions for server methodsSet permissions for controlsCreate privilegesAssign privileges and duties to security rolesUse valid time state tablesValidate security artifactsCreate usersAssign users to rolesSet up segregation of duties rulesCreate extensible data security policiesData security policy conceptsDevelop an extensible data security policyDebug extensible data security policiesSecurity codingTable permissions frameworkCode access securityBest practice rulesSecurity debuggingDebug security rolesLicensing and configurationConfiguration hierarchyConfiguration keysUse configuration keysTypes of CALsCustomization and licensingChanging menu items associated with a roleChanging security artifacts associated with a role
12. Microsoft Dynamics AX Services and Integration
IntroductionTypes of Microsoft Dynamics AX servicesSystem servicesCustom servicesCustom service artifactsService implementation classService contractsData contractsX++ collections as data contractsRegister a custom serviceDocument servicesDocument service artifactsAxd<Document> classesAx<Table> classesCreate document servicesCustomize document servicesSecurity considerationsPublish Microsoft Dynamics AX servicesConsume Microsoft Dynamics AX servicesSample WCF client for CustCustomerServiceConsume system servicesUpdate business documentsApply a full updateApply a partial updateOptimistic concurrency controlInvoke custom services asynchronouslyThe Microsoft Dynamics AX send frameworkImplementing a trigger for transmissionAIF Send APIAxdSend APIConfigure transmission mechanismsConsume external web services from Microsoft Dynamics AXPerformance considerations
13. Performance
IntroductionClient/server performanceReduce round-trips between the client and the serverThe cacheAddMethod methodDeclarative display method cachingThe RunBase techniqueCaching and indexingWrite tier-aware codeHandle inMemory temporary tables correctlyUse TempDB temporary tablesEliminate client callbacksGroup calls into chunksPass table buffers by value instead of by referenceTransaction performanceSet-based data manipulation operatorsSet-based operations and table hierarchiesThe insert_recordset operatorThe update_recordset operatorThe delete_from operatorThe RecordInsertList and RecordSortedList classesTips for transferring code into set-based operationsRestartable jobs and optimistic concurrencyCachingRecord cachingThe unique index join cacheThe EntireTable cacheThe RecordViewCache classSysGlobalObjectCache and SysGlobalCacheField listsField justificationPerformance configuration optionsSQL Administration formServer Configuration formAOS configurationClient configurationClient performanceNumber sequence cachingExtensive loggingMaster scheduling and inventory closingCoding patterns for performanceExecute X++ code as CILUse parallel execution effectivelyBatch bundlingIndividual task modelingTop pickingThe SysOperation frameworkPatterns for checking to see whether a record existsRun a query only as often as necessaryWhen to prefer two queries over a joinIndexing tips and tricksWhen to use firstfastOptimize list pagesAggregate fields to reduce loop iterationsPerformance monitoring toolsMicrosoft Dynamics AX Trace ParserNew Trace Parser featuresBefore tracingStart a trace through the clientStart a trace through Windows Performance MonitorStart a trace through code instrumentationImport a traceAnalyze a traceTroubleshoot tracingMonitor database activityUse the SQL Server connection context to find the SPID or user behind a client sessionThe client access logVisual Studio Profiler
14. Extending Microsoft Dynamics AX
IntroductionThe SysOperation frameworkSysOperation framework classesSysOperation framework attributesComparing the SysOperation and RunBase frameworksRunBase example: SysOpSampleBasicRunbaseBatchSysOperation example: SysOpSampleBasicControllerThe RunBase frameworkInheritance in the RunBase frameworkProperty method patternPack-unpack patternClient/server considerationsThe extension frameworkCreate an extensionExtension exampleEventingDelegatesPre and post eventsEvent handlersEventing example
15. Testing
IntroductionNew unit testing features in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012Use predefined test attributesCreate test attributes and filtersMicrosoft Visual Studio 2010 test toolsUse all aspects of the ALM solutionUse an acceptance test driven development approachUse shared stepsRecord shared steps for fast forwardingDevelop test cases in an evolutionary mannerUse ordered test suites for long scenariosPutting everything togetherExecute tests as part of the build processUse the right tests for the job
16. Customizing and Adding Help
IntroductionHelp system overviewMicrosoft Dynamics AX clientHelp viewerHelp serverHelp web serviceDocument filesWindows Search Service (WSS)AOSHelp content overviewTopicsPublisherTable of contentsSummary pageCreate contentCreate a topic in HTMLDeclarationsDocument headDocument bodyContentLinks to related topicsFooterAdd labels, fields, and menu items to a topicAdd a label from the user interfaceAdd a table field labelAdd a menu item labelMake a topic context-sensitiveUpdate content from other publishersCreate a table of contents fileCreate non-HTML contentCreate the contentCreate the HTML metadata filePublish contentAdd a publisher to the Web.config filePublish content to the Help serverSet Help document set propertiesTroubleshoot the Help systemThe Help viewer cannot display contentHelp serverWSSContentThe Help viewer cannot display the table of contents
III. Under the Hood
17. The Database Layer
IntroductionTemporary tablesInMemory temporary tablesUsing InMemory temporary tablesConsiderations for working with InMemory temporary tablesTempDB temporary tablesCreating temporary tablesDesign timeConfiguration timeRun timeSurrogate keysAlternate keysTable relationsEDT relations and table relationsForeign key relationsThe CreateNavigationPropertyMethods propertyTable inheritanceModeling table inheritanceCreate the root tableCreate a derived tableWork with existing tablesView the type hierarchySpecify table behaviorTable inheritance storage modelPolymorphic behaviorPerformance considerationsUnit of WorkDate-effective frameworkRelational modeling of date-effective entitiesSupport for data retrievalRun-time support for data consistencyModes for updating recordsUser experienceFull-text supportThe QueryFilter APIData partitionsPartition managementDevelopment experienceRun-time experience
18. The Batch Framework
IntroductionBatch processing in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012Common uses of the batch frameworkPerformanceCreate and execute a batch jobCreate a batch-executable classrun methodpack and unpack methodscanGoBatchJournal methodCreate a batch jobCreate a batch job from the dialog box of a batch-executable classCreate a batch job by using the Batch Job formUse the Batch APICreate a batch job by using the BatchHeader classModify batch job parametersAdd a task to the batch jobDefine dependencies between tasksSave the batch jobExample of a batch jobManage batch executionConfigure the batch serverCreate a batch groupManage batch jobsView and change the batch job statusControl the maximum retriesReview the batch job historyDebug a batch taskConfigure AOS for batch debuggingConfigure Visual Studio for debugging X++ in a batch
19. Application Domain Frameworks
IntroductionThe organization model frameworkHow the organization model framework worksOrganization typesOrganization hierarchiesWhen to use the organization model frameworkIntegration with other frameworks application modulesModel your own functional scenariosExtending the organization model frameworkCreate a custom operating unit typeCreate a custom purposeExtend the hierarchy designerThe product model frameworkHow the product model framework worksProduct types and subtypesProduct dimensionsStorage and tracking dimensionsReleased productsAdditional product informationProduct attributes and categoriesVariant configuration technologyWhen to use the product model frameworkExtending the product model frameworkThe operations resource frameworkHow the operations resource framework worksCapabilitiesActivities and requirementsIdentify applicable resourcesWhen to use the operations resource frameworkExtensions to the operations resource frameworkAdd a new class of activityAdd a new class of activity requirementMorphX model element prefixes for the operations resource frameworkThe dimension frameworkHow the dimension framework worksConstrain combinations of valuesCreate valuesExtend the dimension frameworkQuery dataPhysical table referencesThe accounting frameworkHow the accounting framework worksWhen to use the accounting frameworkExtensions to the accounting frameworkAccounting framework process statesMorphX model element prefixes for the accounting frameworkThe source document frameworkHow the source document framework worksWhen to use the source document frameworkExtensions to the source document frameworkMorphX model element prefixes for the source document framework
20. Reflection
IntroductionReflection system functionsIntrinsic functionstypeOf system functionclassIdGet system functionReflection APIsTable data APIDictionary APITreenodes APITreeNodeType
21. Application Models
IntroductionLayersModelsElement IDsCreate a modelPrepare a model for publicationSet the model manifestExport the modelSign the modelStrong name signingAuthenticode signingImport model filesImport model files with the overwrite optionImport model files with the push optionUpgrade a modelMove a model from test to productionCreate a test environmentPrepare the test environmentDeploy the model to productionElement ID considerationsModel store API
A. Resources for Code Upgrade
B. About the authors
Principal authorsContributing authors
Index
About the Authors
Copyright

Overview

Dig into the architecture and internals of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012—with firsthand insights from the team that designed and developed it. Targeted for solution developers and system implementers, this guide focuses on programming and customization capabilities—including key architectural principles, the application model, framework, and tools.

Topics include:

Architecture and development environment, including MorphX

Microsoft Visual Studio tools for Microsoft Dynamics AX

X++ programming language

Microsoft SQL Server reporting and analytics

Models

Core development concepts

Extending and customizing Microsoft Dynamics AX

Performance and security considerations

Workflow

Best practices

Note: Readers should have working knowledge of SQL and OOP concepts to gain max benefit from this book.

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