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Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Programming Cookbook

Chapter 2. General Development

In this chapter, we will cover:

Repeating code using a loop
Displaying a Progress Bar
Checking for conditions using an IF statement
Using a CASE statement to test multiple conditions
Creating a function
Passing parameters by reference
Referencing dynamic tables and fields
Using recursion

Repeating code using a loop

Looping is an essential part of dealing with records in NAV. Using a FOR loop is a common way to iterate over multiple lines of code. This recipe will show you how to construct a FOR loop and use it.

How to do it...

Create a new codeunit from Object Designer.
Add the following global variables:

Name

Type

n

Integer

i

Integer

Factorial

Integer

Add the following code to the OnRun trigger of the codeunit:

Factorial := 1;
n := 4;
FOR i := 1 TO n DO
Factorial := Factorial * i;
MESSAGE('Factorial of %1 = %2', n, Factorial);

Save and close the codeunit.
When you run the codeunit you will see a window similar to the following screenshot:

How it works...

A FOR loop has four parts: a counter, a starting value, the step to be taken, and an ending value. In this code, our counter variable is "i". The starting value is 1 and the ending value is "n", which in this case has been assigned to the value 4.

Each time the loop iterates, the value of "i" is increased by one ...

Displaying a Progress Bar

There's nothing more frustrating for a user than wondering if the system is done with processing something or not. Displaying an indicator to show the user the system's progress, is an easy way to make the system more user-friendly.

How to do it...

Create a new codeunit from Object Designer.
Add the following global variables:

Name

Type

ProgressBar

Dialog

AmountProcessed

Integer

AmountToProcess

Integer

PercentComplete

Integer

Add the following code to the OnRun trigger of your Codeunit:

AmountToProcess := 50000;
ProgressBar.OPEN('@1@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@');
REPEAT
AmountProcessed += 1;
PercentComplete := ROUND(AmountProcessed / AmountToProcess * 10000, 1);
ProgressBar.UPDATE(1, PercentComplete);
UNTIL AmountProcessed = AmountToProcess;

Save and close the codeunit.
When you run the codeunit you will see a progress bar like this:

How it works...

In order to track the progress of something, you need to know two things: how much you have to do and how much you...

Checking for conditions using an IF statement

Some code should only be executed when certain conditions occur. This recipe will show you how to write code to make that decision.

How to do it...

Create a new codeunit from Object Designer.
Add the following global variables:

Name

Type

Subtype

SalesHeader

Record

Sales Header

RecordsProcessed

Integer

Write the following code in the OnRun trigger:

IF SalesHeader.FINDSET THEN BEGIN
REPEAT
RecordsProcessed += 1;
UNTIL SalesHeader.NEXT = 0;
MESSAGE('Processed %1 records.', RecordsProcessed);
END ELSE
MESSAGE('No records to process.');

Save and close the codeunit.
When you run the codeunit you will see a window like the one shown in the following screenshot:

How it works...

In order to execute the code that processes the records, there must be records in the table. That's exactly what the first line does. It tells the code that IF you find some records THEN it should do these actions. In this case, the action is to count the records in the...

Using a CASE statement to test multiple conditions

When you have more than two conditions to test, it can often be beneficial to use a CASE statement for better code readability.

How to do it...

Create a new codeunit from Object Designer.
Add the following global variables:

Name

Type

I

Integer

Add the following code to the OnRun trigger of your codeunit:

i := 2;
CASE i OF
1:
MESSAGE('Your number is %1.', i);
2:
MESSAGE('Your number is %1.', i);
ELSE
MESSAGE('Your number is not 1 or 2.');
END;

When you run the codeunit you will see a window like the following screenshot:

How it works...

A CASE statement compares the value given, in this case "i", to various conditions contained within that statement. Each condition, other than the default ELSE, is followed by a colon. Here it checks if "i" is equal to 1, if "i" is equal to 2, and if "i" is neither 1 nor 2. You would get the same result if you wrote the following code:

IF i = 1 THEN
MESSAGE('Your number is %1.', i)
ELSE IF i = 2 THEN
MESSAGE...

Creating a function

Most programs will need to execute code from different NAV objects. This code is contained in functions. This recipe will show you how to create a function and explain what functions are in more detail.

How to do it...

Create a new codeunit from Object Designer.
Add a function called CountToN that takes an integer parameter, n.
Add the following local variables

Name

Type

I

Integer
Add the following code to your function:
```
FOR i := 1 TO n DO
MESSAGE('%1', i);
```
Add the following code to the OnRun trigger of the codeunit:
```
CountToN(3);
```
Save and close the codeunit.
When you run the codeunit you will see several windows like the following screenshot:

How it works...

By creating a function we can reference multiple lines of code using one easy-to-understand name. Our function is called CountToN and takes an integer "n" as a parameter. This function will display a message box for every number ranging between one and the number that is passed to the function.

There's more...

Proper...

Passing parameters by reference

You may want your function to modify multiple values. As you can't return more than one value from a function (unless you use an array), it can be beneficial to pass your parameters by reference to the function.

How to do it...

Create a new codeunit from Object Designer.
Add the following global variables:

Name

Type

Subtype

Length

CustomerRec

Record

Customer

OldName

Text

50

NewName

Text

50
Add a function called ChangeCustomerName.
The function should take in the following parameter:

Name

Type

Subtype

Customer

Record

Customer
Write the following code in the ChangeCustomerName function:
```
Customer.Name := 'Changed Name';
```
Add a function called ChangeCustomerNameRef.
The function should take in the following parameter:

Name

Type

Subtype

Customer

Record

Customer
Place a check-mark in the Var column for the parameter.
Write the following code in the ChangeCustomerName function:
```
Customer.Name := 'Changed Name';
```
Write the following...

Referencing dynamic tables and fields

You may, on occasion, need to retrieve data from the system, but not know in advance where that data should come from. NAV accommodates this by allowing you to reference tables and fields dynamically.

How to do it...

Create a new codeunit from Object Designer.
Add a global function, GetFirstRecord.
The function should take in the following parameter:

Name

Type

TableNo

Integer
Add the following local variables:

Name

Type

RecRef

RecordRef

FieldRef

FieldRef

Write the following code in your GetFirstRecord function:

RecRef.OPEN(TableNo);
IF RecRef.FINDFIRST THEN BEGIN
IF RecRef.FIELDEXIST(1) THEN
FieldRef[1] := RecRef.FIELDINDEX(1);
IF RecRef.FIELDEXIST(2) THEN
FieldRef[2] := RecRef.FIELDINDEX(2);
IF FieldRef[1].ACTIVE AND FieldRef[2].ACTIVE THEN
MESSAGE('Table: %1\%2: %3\%4: %5', RecRef.NAME, FieldRef[1].NAME, FieldRef[1].VALUE, FieldRef[2].NAME, FieldRef[2].VALUE)
ELSE
MESSAGE('You cannot retrieve an inactive field.');
END ELSE
MESSAGE('No records...

Using recursion

Recursion is not used often in NAV, but the option is available and can shorten your code. Recursion is the process by which a function calls itself.

How to do it...

Create a new codeunit from Object Designer.
Add a global function, Fibonacci, that returns an integer with no name.
The function should take the following parameter:

Name

Type

i

Integer

Write the following code in your Fibonacci function.

IF (i <= 2) THEN
EXIT(1);
EXIT ( Fibonacci(i-1) + Fibonacci(i-2) );

Write the following code in your OnRun trigger:

MESSAGE('Fibonacci(%1) = %2', 4, Fibonacci(4));

When you run the codeunit you will see a window like the one shown in the following screenshot:

How it works...

The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers where the value in a certain position is the sum of the number in the previous two positions.

That is: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55...

A recursive function has two parts. The first is a stopping condition. In our Fibonacci function, the stopping condition...

Key benefits

Write NAV programs to do everything from finding data in a table to integration with an instant messenger client

Develop your own .NET code to perform tasks that NAV cannot handle on its own

Work with SQL Server to create better integration between NAV and other systems

Learn to use the new features of the NAV 2009 Role Tailored Client

Easy-to-read recipes with detailed explanations and images

Maximize your learning with short tutorials that tell you exactly what you need to know without all of the fluff

Description

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 is a business management solution that helps simplify and streamline highly specialized business processes such as finance, manufacturing, customer relationship management, supply chains, analytics, and electronic commerce for small and medium-sized enterprises. ERP systems like NAV thus become the center of a company's day-to-day operations. When you learn to program in an environment like this it opens up doors to many other exciting areas like .NET programming, SQL Server, and Web Services.Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Programming Cookbook will take you through interesting topics that span a wide range of areas such as integrating the NAV system with other software applications like Microsoft Office, creating reports to present information from multiple areas of the system, and so on. You will not only learn the basics of NAV programming, but you will also be exposed to the technologies that surround the NAV system such as .NET programming, SQL Server, and Web Services.The first half of the cookbook will help programmers coming to NAV for the first time by walking them through the building blocks of writing code and creating objects like tables, forms, and reports. The second half focuses on using the technologies surrounding NAV to build better solutions. You will learn how to write .NET code that works with the NAV system and how to integrate the system with other software applications like Microsoft Office or even custom programs. You will also discover some of the features of the Role Tailored Client including creating Pages and custom add-ins.

Who is this book for?

If you are a junior / entry-level NAV developer then the first half of the book is designed primarily for you. You may or may not have any experience programming. It focuses on the basics of NAV programming. It would be best if you have gone through a brief introduction to the NAV client. If you are a mid-level NAV developer, you will find the second half more useful. These chapters explain how to think outside of the NAV box when building solutions. There are also recipes here and there that senior developers will find useful.

What you will learn

Learn basic programming concepts like variables, loops, and conditionals

Build tables and perform complex actions on their data

Design different types of forms to display and interact with business data

Create reports to present information from multiple areas of the system

Write C# .NET code that will work inside the NAV client

Learn advanced security techniques including integrating your code with Active Directory

Build solutions that work with the entire Microsoft Office suite of products

Write code to interact with the Windows file system and registry

Create objects to send your data to other applications and read data from other databases

Learn to work with SQL Server and execute basic queries against the NAV database

Design solutions for the Role Tailored Client

What do you get with Print?

Instant access to your digital copy whilst your Print order is Shipped

Paperback book shipped to your preferred address

Redeem a companion digital copy on all Print orders

Access this title in our online reader with advanced features

DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want

Frequently bought together

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Ricardo Nunes Jan 30, 2011

If you are a person who wants to start programming in Microsoft Dynamics Nav or want to extend the knowledge then you should buy this book. Nice book with plenty of examples that really helps.

Amazon Verified review

David Roys Nov 27, 2010

This book is packed full of useful stuff. I've been doing NAV programming for quite a while now and I know a thing or two, but I found plenty in the book that I could use straight away in my day to day work. The book is divided into 112 recipes that go from the noddy stuff (like basic building blocks of programming NAV) to pretty advanced topics that require creating .NET controls and automations using Visual Studio. It seems like there is no problem too big for Matt. If NAV can't do it, he rolls up his sleeves, cranks up Visual Studio and finds a solution. That was the thing I loved about this book. Matt has a great attitude to working with NAV and shows what can be done if you're prepared to think outside the box.I loved this book. There's something in it for everyone. The recipes are fun-sized morsels of knowledge and you can dib in and out when you need to solve a particular problem, or you can start from the beginning and work your way through if you just want to learn as much as you can.There are plenty of sources of knowledge on NAV now including various books, blogs, and online articles; if you're a completely stingy git, you may prefer to spend your time trawling through forums and trying lots of things rather than shelling out for Matt's book. I know I'd rather save my time and go straight to one reference where I can get an easy step-by-step guide on how to get past my current problem and then move on.If you program NAV, you need this book. Well done Matt!

Joseph Dewey Dec 29, 2012

This is an awesome book. It's so helpful, and I reference it probably once per week. There isn't a ton written about NAV, so if you're serious about NAV, you'll probably want to buy every book available on the current version of NAV. But, I guarantee that you'll reference this book more often than all of the others.This book is written in a "programming cookbook" format, where the book is divided up into about 50 different tasks (recipes) you'd want to do with NAV. And, it's often right on the mark for what you'd actually want to do with NAV.The examples are perfect, too, because you can actually do each one of them with only a few minutes of setup, yet they're substantial enough that they're good to reference even when you're familiar with the subject.And, even though I mainly use this for a reference book now, when I first got it, I went through the first few chapters and did example by example. That was a great way to get familiar with NAV programming very quickly.Pros:+Extremely useful book, I reference it at least once a week+Almost all examples also work for NAV 2013+Very easy to implement examples, which is impressive, since NAV's IDE is kind of clunky.+Long lasting. You'll keep this on your shelf even after you've thrown out your other NAV booksCons:-There isn't a NAV Programming Cookbook 2 yet

Krupesh Feb 06, 2011

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Programming Cookbook is an excellent book where each recipe has been explained in an easy to understand language. This book is highly recommended for those NAV programmers who are looking for tips and tricks for handling real life scenarios. Each code snippet has been explained in detail in simple, easy to understand language and why a particular line of code has been written. This book is a good accompaniment with other basic programming books and the reader needs to have at least basic NAV programming knowledge. After learning basic NAV programming syntax this book will explain how the concepts can be applied.This book is a must-have for all NAV programmers who, at times, face problems and do not know how to go about resolving them. They can then apply the tricks and tricks learnt in this book to resolve real life situations.The book starts with some simple code such as displaying system date and time and gets in to more complex scenarios such as session killer, field level security, interaction with OS, integration, etc. Use of .Net with NAV has been well documented and explained. Matt has demonstrated that sky's the limit for NAV with application of C# code to specific situations.

Philippe Torres Feb 06, 2011

Hello,This book is available for all Dynamics NAV 2009 Developper (from the newbies to the senior developper). This book is very helpfull and well organized with tips and tricks. Its a very good choice. I'll recommend it with the purchase of Dynamics NAV 2009 AdminsitrationBonjour,Ce livre est aussi bien utilisable par les néophytes que par les développeurs seniors. Très bien organisé, avec des trucs et astuces, je ne peux que recommander celui-ci. Si vous êtes aussi administrateur, n'oubliez pas Dynamics NAV 2009 Administration.

Name	Type
n	Integer
i	Integer
Factorial	Integer

Name	Type
ProgressBar	Dialog
AmountProcessed	Integer
AmountToProcess	Integer
PercentComplete	Integer

Name	Type	Subtype
SalesHeader	Record	Sales Header
RecordsProcessed	Integer

Name	Type	Subtype	Length
CustomerRec	Record	Customer
OldName	Text		50
NewName	Text		50

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Programming Cookbook: Build better business applications with NAV

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