Dynamics 365 is a set of smart tools made by Microsoft for businesses. It helps companies manage their work better. One important part of Dynamics 365 is plugin development. Think of plugins as extra features you can add to Dynamics 365. They help automate tasks and make things work smoothly.
If you’re getting ready for a job interview as a Dynamics 365 developer, it’s good to know common questions and have examples ready. Let’s dive into some of those questions about plugin development and see how they work with real code examples!
1. What is a Plugin in MS CRM?
A plugin is a custom business logic (C# code) that runs when a specific event occurs in Dynamics 365 CRM.
Example:
A plugin that triggers on Create of an account to set a default value for a custom field:
public void Execute(IServiceProvider serviceProvider)
{
IPluginExecutionContext context = (IPluginExecutionContext)serviceProvider.GetService(typeof(IPluginExecutionContext));
if (context.InputParameters.Contains("Target") && context.InputParameters["Target"] is Entity)
{
Entity entity = (Entity)context.InputParameters["Target"];
entity["custom_field"] = "Default Value";
}
}
2. What are the different pipeline stages in CRM plugins?
- Pre-validation (Stage 10): Executes before database transaction starts.
- Pre-operation (Stage 20): Runs before the main operation but inside a transaction.
- Post-operation (Stage 40): Runs after the main operation is complete.
3. How do you register a plugin in MS CRM?
Using the Plugin Registration Tool:
- Connect to the CRM instance.
- Register a new assembly.
- Add a new step (select entity, message, and stage).
- Deploy the plugin.
4. What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous plugins?
| Feature | Synchronous Plugin | Asynchronous Plugin |
|---|---|---|
| Execution | Immediate | Runs in background |
| Performance | Slower impact | Faster CRM UI |
| Use Case | Validations, real-time logic | Non-critical tasks (e.g., logging) |
5. What are Secure and Unsecure Configuration in a Plugin?
- Secure Configuration: Only system admins can edit it.
- Unsecure Configuration: Visible to all users.
Example:
public MyPlugin(string unsecureConfig, string secureConfig)
{
_unsecureConfig = unsecureConfig;
_secureConfig = secureConfig;
}
6. What is the maximum depth of plugin execution in MS CRM?
The maximum depth is 8, meaning a plugin cannot recursively call itself more than 8 times.
7. What are Shared Variables in Plugins?
Shared variables help pass data between pre-operation and post-operation stages.
Example:
context.SharedVariables["customMessage"] = "Hello";
8. How do you debug a Plugin in MS CRM?
- Use Profiler in the Plugin Registration Tool.
- Download the Plugin Execution Log.
- Attach Visual Studio Debugger.
9. What is the ITracingService in CRM Plugins?
It logs debugging messages.
Example:
ITracingService tracingService = (ITracingService)serviceProvider.GetService(typeof(ITracingService));
tracingService.Trace("Plugin Execution Started");
10. How do you handle exceptions in a Plugin?
Use InvalidPluginExecutionException.
Example:
throw new InvalidPluginExecutionException("An error occurred in the plugin.");
11. What is the difference between Pre-Image and Post-Image in CRM Plugins?
- Pre-Image: Snapshot of data before update.
- Post-Image: Snapshot of data after update.
12. Can a Plugin modify the same entity it triggers on?
Yes, but only in Pre-Operation stage to avoid infinite loops.
13. How do you register a Plugin for multiple messages (Create, Update, Delete)?
By adding multiple steps in the Plugin Registration Tool.
14. What is the execution order of plugins?
Controlled by execution order number in the Plugin Registration Tool.
15. How do you pass parameters to a Plugin?
Through the InputParameters collection.
Example:
if (context.InputParameters.Contains("Target"))
{
Entity target = (Entity)context.InputParameters["Target"];
}
16. How do you retrieve related entity data in a Plugin?
Use FetchXML or QueryExpression.
Example:
QueryExpression query = new QueryExpression("contact");
query.ColumnSet = new ColumnSet("fullname");
query.Criteria.AddCondition("accountid", ConditionOperator.Equal, accountId);
17. How do you prevent infinite loops in Plugins?
Use Depth Property to check recursion.
Example:
if (context.Depth > 1) return;
18. What is a Custom API in MS CRM Plugins?
A Custom API allows defining custom messages for business logic.
19. What is the difference between Plugins and Workflows?
| Feature | Plugin | Workflow |
|---|---|---|
| Execution | Runs on server | Runs via UI or background |
| Performance | Faster | Slower |
| Custom Code | Required | No custom code |
20. Can a Plugin trigger another Plugin?
Yes, if an update in one plugin triggers another registered event.
Mastering Dynamics 365 plugin development means becoming really good at creating special tools for Dynamics 365. These tools help businesses do things automatically and follow specific rules. Imagine it like building a robot that can do tasks for you!
When developers learn the basics and practice writing code, they become more skilled. This helps them feel more confident when answering questions in job interviews. It’s like practicing a sport to get better at it.
The examples given here are like little puzzles. They help developers learn more about creating these special tools for Dynamics 365. So, if you want to explore this world of plugin development, these examples are a great place to start!