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Programming Microsoft Dynamics??? NAV 2015
Programming Microsoft Dynamics??? NAV 2015

Programming Microsoft Dynamics??? NAV 2015: Sharpen your skills and increase your productivity when programming Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2015

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Profile Icon David Studebaker
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Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon 4.8 (6 Ratings)
Paperback Jul 2015 644 pages 1st Edition
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Arrow left icon
Profile Icon David Studebaker
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Free Trial
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon 4.8 (6 Ratings)
Paperback Jul 2015 644 pages 1st Edition
eBook
Mex$179.99 Mex$1082.99
Paperback
Mex$1353.99
Subscription
Free Trial
eBook
Mex$179.99 Mex$1082.99
Paperback
Mex$1353.99
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Free Trial

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Programming Microsoft Dynamics??? NAV 2015

Chapter 2. Tables

 

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple."

 
 --Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel)
 

"The loftier the building, the deeper must the foundation be laid."

 
 --Thomas à Kempis

The foundation of any system is the data structure definition. In NAV, the building blocks of this foundation are the Tables and the individual data fields that the tables contain. Once the functional analysis and process definition has been completed, any new design work must begin with the data structure. For NAV, that means the tables and their contents.

A NAV table includes much more than just the data fields and keys. A NAV table definition also includes data validation rules, processing rules, business rules, and logic to ensure referential integrity. The rules are in the form of properties and C/AL code.

In this chapter, we will learn about the structure and creation of tables. Details about fields, the components...

An overview of tables

There is a distinction between the table (data definition and data container) and the data (the contents of a table). The table definition describes the identification information, data structure, validation rules, storage, and retrieval of the data which is stored in the table (container). The definition is defined by the design and can only be changed by a developer. The data is the variable content that originates from user activities. The place where we can see the data explicitly referenced independently of the table as a definition of structure is in the Permissions setup data. In the next image, the data is formally referred to as Table Data:

An overview of tables

The table is not the data: it is the definition of data contained in the table (stored in the database as metadata). Even so, we commonly refer to both the data and the table as if they were one and the same. That is what we will do in this book.

All permanent data must be stored in a table. All tables are defined by the...

Enhancing our sample application

Now we can take our knowledge of tables and expand our WDTU application. Our base Radio Show table needs to be added to and modified. We also need to create and reference additional tables.

Although we want to have a realistic design in our sample application, we will focus on changes that illustrate the features in the NAV table design which the authors feel are among the most important. If there are capabilities or functionalities that you feel are missing, feel free to add them. Adjust the examples as much as you wish to make them more meaningful to you.

Creating and modifying tables

In Chapter 1, An Introduction to NAV 2015, we created the Radio Show table for the WDTU application. At that time we used the minimum fields that allowed us to usefully define a master record. Now, let's set properties on existing data fields, add more data fields, and create an additional data table to which the Radio Show table can refer.

Our new data fields are shown...

Types of tables

For this discussion, we will divide table types into three categories: Fully Modifiable, Content Modifiable and Read-Only. As developers, we can change the definition and the contents of the first category (the Fully Modifiable Tables). We cannot change the definition of the base fields of the second category (the Content Modifiable Tables), but we can change the contents and add new fields. The third category (the Read-Only Tables) can be accessed for information, but neither the definition nor the data within is modifiable.

Fully Modifiable tables

The following tables are included in the fully modifiable tables category which includes the following table types:

  • Master
  • Journal
  • Template
  • Ledger
  • Reference
  • Register
  • Posted document
  • Setup
  • Temporary

Patterns have been defined for Master and Setup table types. Other table patterns are likely to be defined over time.

Master

The Master table type contains primary data (such as Customers, Vendors, Items, Employees, and so on). In any enhancement...

Summary

In this chapter, we have focused on the foundation level of NAV data structure: tables and their internal structure. We have worked our way through the hands-on creation of a number of tables and their data definitions in support of our WDTU application. We have briefly discussed Field Groups and how they are used.

We have identified the essential table structure elements including Properties, Object Numbers, Triggers, Keys, and SumIndexFields. Finally, we have reviewed several categories of tables found in NAV 2015.

In the next chapter, we will dig deeper into the NAV data structure to understand how fields and their attributes are assembled to make up tables. We will also focus on what can be done with Triggers. Then we will explore how other object types use tables, working towards developing a full featured NAV development toolkit.

Review questions

Q.1. Which of the following is a correct description of a table in NAV 2015? Choose two.

  1. A NAV table is the definition of data structure
  2. A NAV table includes a built-in data entry page
  3. A NAV table can contain C/AL code, but that should be avoided
  4. A NAV table should implement many of the business rules of a system

Q.2. All primary keys should contain only one data field. True or False?

Q.3. With which property is it possible to link a NAV table to a table outside of the NAV database? Choose one.

  1. DatabaseLink
  2. ObjectPointer
  3. LinkedObject
  4. C# Codelet

Q.4. System Tables cannot be modified. True or False?

Q.5. Which of the following are Table triggers? Choose two.

  1. OnInsert
  2. OnChange
  3. OnNewKey
  4. OnRename

Q.6. Keys can be enabled or disabled in executable code. True or False?

Q.7. Because Setup Tables only contain one record, they do not need to have a Primary Key. True or False?

Q.8. Table numbers intended to be used for customized table objects should only range between 5000 and 9999. True or False?

Q...

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Description

This book is targeted at those who want to learn NAV's powerful and extensive built-in development capabilities. It assumes that you understand programming and are familiar with business application software.

Product Details

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Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Jul 30, 2015
Length: 644 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781784394202
Vendor :
Microsoft

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Product Details

Publication date : Jul 30, 2015
Length: 644 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781784394202
Vendor :
Microsoft

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Table of Contents

11 Chapters
1. An Introduction to NAV 2015 Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
2. Tables Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
3. Data Types and Fields Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
4. Pages – The Interactive Interface Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
5. Queries and Reports Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
6. Introduction to C/SIDE and C/AL Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
7. Intermediate C/AL Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
8. Advanced NAV Development Tools Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
9. Successful Conclusions Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
A. Review Answers Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

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Amazon Customer Jul 08, 2017
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Great book. Well written. Saving us a ton of money in terms of expensive NAV consultants
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Daniel Rimmelzwaan Aug 17, 2015
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Another edition of THE book on developing in Dynamics NAV, updated for the latest version (2015), plus expanded to include the new development capabilities in this version. It is even more important for NAV developers to get this book because it looks like Microsoft is no longer interested in certifications, and it looks like they will not be updating their training material.If there is one book you get on NAV development, this is the one you should get.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Alain Krikilion Sep 06, 2015
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
After reading also the other "Programming Microsoft Dynamics NAV…", I was curious about the latest one in the series.Even if the book is for people starting programming in NAV and I having lots of experience with Navision/NAV (started in 1999), each time I read one of the books I find some things I didn't know (or did know and forgot about it … ahum).When I started developing in 1999, I didn't have the luck to have such a book. I did have a 3-day course in C/AL development but having a book like this would have been a lot better (and cheaper!) to have me started with C/AL.How should you use the book? Well, definitely not like I did: Reading it by bits and pieces while on the train.The best way is to first install and prepare NAV2015 on your PC, have a developers license, open the book and start reading and developing and testing. Doing things while you read about it is the best way to learn how to develop!Definitely a book to read. Even for experienced developers (ok, YOU can read it on the train…).
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Hougaard Sep 01, 2015
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
This is one of the best no-nonsense books on NAV development you can get. Read it, understand it, and you're ready to development with Dynamics NAV 2015. Dave has been using NAV since it was called Navision and Navigator - he knows the pedigree of the system and its history.The book takes you through all the normal aspects of developing a customer solution with NAV - and uses best practice and sound patterns in all the solutions suggested.Each chapter concludes with a small questionnaire that covers the content of chapter.This book is one of the essentials for every NAV developer - I recommend it highly !
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Luis Oct 13, 2022
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Ottimo libro, il sistema navision viene spiegato in maniera chiara ed esaustiva
Amazon Verified review Amazon
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