book

Programming Microsoft Dynamics® CRM 4.0

Name: Programming Microsoft Dynamics® CRM 4.0
Author: Jim Steger Mike Snyder Brad Bosak, Corey O’Brien, and Phil Richardson
ISBN: 9780735625945

by Jim Steger Mike Snyder Brad Bosak, Corey O’Brien, and Phil Richardson

October 2008

Intermediate to advanced

640 pages

15h 13m

English

Microsoft Press

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Foreword
Acknowledgments
Jim Steger’s AcknowledgmentsMike Snyder’s AcknowledgmentsBrad Bosak’s AcknowledgmentsCorey O’Brien’s AcknowledgmentsPhilip Richardson’s Acknowledgments
Introduction
Who This Book Is ForWhat This Book Is AboutCompanion ContentSystem RequirementsClientServerFind Additional Content OnlineSupport for This BookQuestions and Comments
I. Overview
1. Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 SDK Overview
Software Development Kit IntroductionHitchhiker’s Guide to Common QuestionsCan we alter the CRM database structure to add our custom tables and columns?How do we write custom code that gets data into and out of Microsoft Dynamics CRM?Can we change the current CRM form layouts and controls?How do we implement our own custom business logic?How much control do we have over the user interface and branding?How do we deploy changes from one system to another?Will our customizations upgrade when Microsoft releases a new version of the software?Are role-based security permissions supported and configurable?Does Microsoft Dynamics CRM support multiple languages and currencies?Will our programming customizations run offline?How do you recommend we set up a Microsoft Dynamics CRM development environment?Microsoft Dynamics CRM as a Business Application PlatformSummary
2. Development Overview and Environment
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 System OverviewMicrosoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 VersionsMicrosoft Dynamics CRM ComponentsLicensingServer RolesHardware RequirementsMicrosoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Web Server RequirementsVirtualizationDevelopment EnvironmentServer Environment Development OptionsIsolated Development EnvironmentSharing a Common Microsoft Dynamics CRM OrganizationUsing a Hybrid EnvironmentUsing Different Organizations in a Single Microsoft Dynamics CRM DeploymentDeveloping Customizations Accessed From OutlookTesting Environment ConsiderationsMigrating DataNative Microsoft Dynamics CRM ImportData Migration ManagerThird-Party ToolsCustom CodeRedeploymentDevelopment ToolsIntegrated Development Environment (IDE)Source ControlContinuous Integration ToolInstallerAdditional Development UtilitiesAdditional Development ConsiderationsSummary
3. Communicating with Microsoft CRM APIs
Overview of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 SDKAccessing the APIs in Visual Studio 2008CrmService Web ServiceAuthenticationAuthenticating to the API ServicesConfiguring the Security TokenUnderstanding the Security Context of a Method CallCommon MethodsExecute MethodRequest and Response ClassesDynamicEntity ClassAttributesMetadataService Web ServiceCrmDiscoveryService Web ServiceConnecting to Microsoft Dynamics CRM IFDConnecting to Microsoft Dynamics CRM OfflineConnecting to Microsoft Dynamics CRM OnlineSummary
II. Extending Microsoft CRM
4. Security
Role-Based and Object-Based SecuritySecurity PrincipalsAccess RightsImpersonationImpersonation for Web applicationsImpersonation for Plug-insUsing the Microsoft Dynamics CRM SDK to Perform Security-Related OperationsProgrammatically Creating a Security Role and Adding PrivilegesProgrammatically Assigning a Security RoleRetrieving Roles and PrivilegesSharing RecordsAssigning RecordsUsing Direct SQL for Accessing Microsoft Dynamics CRM DataDetermining the Organization’s Connection StringFiltered ViewsAdditional Programming Considerations with Filtered ViewsData EncryptionOne-Way EncryptionTwo-Way EncryptionSummary
5. Plug-ins
Writing Your First Plug-inCreating the Plug-in ProjectImplementing the Plug-in ClassBuilding the Registration ToolDeploying the Plug-inModeStageDeploymentMessagesEntitiesRankAssembly LocationImagesThe Event Execution PipelineSupported Messages and EntitiesParent and Child PipelinesIPluginExecutionContextImpersonationImpersonation During RegistrationImpersonation During ExecutionException HandlingExceptions and the Event Processing PipelineException FeedbackDeploymentPlug-in EntitiesProgrammatic Plug-in RegistrationImagesProgrammatic Image RegistrationCustom ConfigurationDeploying Referenced AssembliesDebugging Plug-insRemote DebuggingLoggingUnit TestingMock ObjectsTest FrameworksSample TestSample Plug-insRolling Up Child Entity Attributes to a Parent EntitySystem View HiderCustomization Change NotifierSummary

6. Programming Workflow
OverviewThe Workflow DesignerTesting the WorkflowWorkflow DefinitionsAutomatic WorkflowsManual WorkflowsChild WorkflowsWorkflow StepsDynamic Values in WorkflowOperatorLook for OptionsDynamic Values BoxDefault ValueWindows Workflow FoundationActivitiesDynamic Value BindingCustom Workflow ActivitiesImplementing a Custom ActivityDeploying the Custom AssemblyRegistration with the PluginRegistration ToolProgrammatic Custom Activity RegistrationTesting the Custom ActivityInvestigating Custom Activity ErrorsCRM Workflow AttributesWorkflow ContextEntity Images in Custom Workflow ActivitiesCreating an Entity Image Debugging ActivityUsing the DebugEntityImagesActivityWorkflow Designer LimitationsExample Activities: Math Building BlocksExample Activity: Retrieve Most Available UserExample Activity: Calculate Related AggregateSummary
7. Form Scripting
Form Scripting OverviewUnderstanding Client-Side Scripting with Microsoft Dynamics CRMReferencing Microsoft Dynamics CRM ElementsAvailable EventsCalling Web Services from ScriptUsing the CRM API SOAP Request from ScriptTesting and DeploymentDebugging JavaScriptAdditional Testing and Debugging TipsScripting from ISV.Config ButtonsAdvanced TopicsForm Type ConsiderationsCross-Site Scripting (XSS)Using Script for ValidationLoading External JavaScript FilesScripting ExamplesDisplay Customer Information in a ToolTipSetting the Form’s Title at Run TimeEnhancing the Form’s DisplaySummary
8. Developing with the Metadata Service
Connecting to the MetadataServiceReferencing the MetadataServiceLocating the EndpointsApplication SettingsDiscovery ServicePlug-insOfflineUsing the MetadataService with the CrmImpersonator Class2006. EndpointMicrosoft Dynamics CRM SecurityRetrieving MetadataNames Used in the MetadataServiceRetrieving EntitiesRetrieveEntityRequestRetrieveAllEntitiesRequestRetrieving Attributes and RelationshipsAttribute ConsiderationsRelationship ConsiderationsMultilingual StringsAvailable LanguagesRemote CustomizationEntitiesCreating EntitiesUpdating EntitiesDeleting EntitiesAttributesDisplay MasksPicklistsRelationshipsOne-to-Many RelationshipsMany-to-Many RelationshipsRelationship Eligibility MessagesPublishing MetadataCaching the MetadataUsing the TimestampExample File System CacheHandling ErrorsSummary
III. Advanced Topics
9. Deployment
Common Deployment StepsBuildInstallConfigureUninstallRemoving the Solution ComponentsDeleting Metadata and Transactional DataDeploying Microsoft Dynamics CRM ComponentsCustomizationsImporting CustomizationsUsing the MetadataServicePublish CustomizationsImporting the OrganizationWorkflow Rules, Templates, and Security RolesUser Interface Changes (Forms, ISV.Config, and Sitemap)Custom Web PagesPlug-in and Workflow AssembliesOnline HelpCustom ReportsConfiguration SettingsOffline Application DeploymentOffline Web ApplicationsPlug-in Allow ListTesting StrategiesServer TopologiesOperating SystemsWeb BrowsersDatabase ServersAuthenticationMulti-TenantMultilingualAccessibilityAdditional Deployment ConsiderationsMissing PrerequisitesResetting IISCustomizations ManagementExample Deployment SequenceComponent InventoryBuildInstallConfigurationUninstallSummary
10. Developing Offline Solutions
OverviewOffline Development EnvironmentWorkstationLaptopVirtual PCOffline NavigationClient AttributeAvailableOffline AttributeCommunicating with the Microsoft Dynamics CRM SDK API OfflineCrmService OfflineOffline Message and Entity AvailabilityCreating a CrmService Instance OfflineMetadataService OfflineMicrosoft Dynamics Outlook SDKScripting for OfflineDeveloping Iframes for OfflineProgramming the IFrameDeploying the IFrame PageMicrosoft Dynamics CRM CustomizationsMicrosoft Dynamics CRM Web ServerMicrosoft Dynamics CRM for Outlook with Offline AccessTesting the IFrame Page OfflineDeveloping an Offline Plug-inProgramming the Plug-inDeploying the Plug-inTesting the Plug-inOffline Development ConsiderationsSummary
11. Multilingual and Multi-Currency Applications
Programming for Multilingual ApplicationsCrmService Messages for Multilingual SupportExporting and Importing TranslationsUsing the Metadata Service for Multilingual ApplicationsProgramming the Multilingual IFrameDeploying and Testing the Multilingual IFrameUsing Resource Assemblies for Multilingual StringsUpdating the Multilingual IFrame with Resource FilesDeploying and Testing the Updated IFrameProgramming for Multi-Currency ApplicationsSummary
12. Advanced Workflow Programming
Custom Workflow Manager ToolWorkflows as EntitiesThe workflow EntityInteracting with Workflows Through CrmServiceWorkflow PublicationThe workflowdependency EntityRetrieving Workflow DependenciesDeclarative WorkflowsXAML SyntaxXAML in Microsoft Dynamics CRMCreating Your First Declarative WorkflowDeclarative Workflow DeploymentExamining Native Workflow XAMLExporting Workflows ProgrammaticallySummary
13. Emulating User Interface with ASP.NET Development
IFrame DevelopmentProgramming the IFramePopulating the FormHandling a Form SubmitDeploying and Testing the IFrameDialog Box DevelopmentProgramming the Dialog BoxDeploying and Testing the Dialog BoxISV Page DevelopmentProgramming the ISV PagePopulateLeadTable and PopulateOpportunityTablePopulateActivityTable MethodDeploying and Testing the ISV PageSummary
14. Developing Custom Microsoft CRM Controls
OverviewCrmPicklistControlProgramming the CrmPicklistControlCrmPicklistControl PropertiesAdding Options to the CrmPicklistControlTesting the CrmPicklistControlCrmBooleanControlProgramming the CrmBooleanControlCrmBooleanControl PropertiesAdding Options to the CrmBooleanControlTesting the CrmBooleanControlCrmDateTimeControlProgramming the CrmDateTimeControlCrmDateTimeControl PropertiesAdding the Child ControlsCreating the Calendar Pop-UpTesting the CrmDateTimeControlCrmEntityPicklistControlProgramming the CrmEntityPicklistControlCrmEntityPicklistControl PropertiesBinding the DataTesting the CrmEntityPicklistControlCrmGridViewControlProgramming the CrmGridViewControlCrmGridViewControl PropertiesAdding the ColumnsCreating the CrmGridViewTemplateCreating the DataSourceUpdating the Record in Microsoft Dynamics CRMTesting the CrmGridViewControlSummary
15. Additional Samples and Utilities
Utility ClassesMetadataUtility ClassCustomizations UtilityAdditional Script SamplesConditionally Enabling AttributesHiding Navigation Links on a FormField-Level SecurityHiding Tabs and Fields on a FormHiding a TabHiding and Showing a Field and LabelField-Level Security ScriptField-Level Security Script ExampleSummary
A. About the Authors
Jim StegerMike SnyderBrad BosakCorey O’BrienPhilip Richardson
B. About Sonoma Partners
C. Additional Resources for Developers from Microsoft Press
Visual BasicVisual C#Web DevelopmentData Access.NET FrameworkOther Developer Topics
D. More Great Developer Resources
Developer Step by StepDeveloper ReferenceFocused Topics
Index
About the Authors
Copyright

Overview

Get answers to common questions about setting up the design environment and building custom solutions with Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Delve into core architecture, tools, and techniques, and learn how to exploit powerful customization features. Authored by industry-leading experts, this book shows how to deliver intelligent CRM solutions that meet the unique challenges and requirements of your business.

Discover how to:

Set up the development environment

Enhance the product’s APIs with your own code

Execute business logic using plug-ins

Build custom workflows that extend native workflow functions

Create user-friendly integration with scripts and application extensions

Code custom pages optimized for Microsoft Outlook with Offline Access

Extend Microsoft Dynamics CRM using ASP.NET

Create advanced Windows Workflow Foundation solutions

Extend multilingual and multicurrency features

Construct a custom security-access solution

Get code samples on the Web.

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Embedded Software Engineer

Microsoft Dynamics® CRM 4.0 Step by Step

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