Posts

Getting Started with Bicep: Simplifying Infrastructure as Code on Azure

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Bicep is an Infrastructure as Code (IaC) language that allows you to declaratively define Azure resources, enabling automated and repeatable deployments. It simplifies Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates by offering a streamlined, readable syntax while supporting Azure's full range of resources. Bicep scripts are best suited for scenarios involving Azure-specific infrastructure, such as deploying complex cloud environments, setting up multi-tier applications, managing infrastructure across multiple environments (dev, test, prod), and maintaining modularized resource definitions in larger Azure-based solutions.  Bicep is a domain-specific language (DSL) for deploying resources in Azure, offering a simpler syntax than traditional JSON-based Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates. It's part of Microsoft’s Infrastructure as Code (IaC) approach, enabling the deployment and management of Azure resources in a programmatic, repeatable way. # Benefits 1. Simplified Syntax: Easier to

Exploring Power BI Storage Modes: Import, DirectQuery, and Dual

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 In Power BI, Table Storage Mode refers to how data within individual tables is stored and queried, impacting how quickly Power BI can retrieve and display data in reports. There are three primary table storage modes, each serving different technical uses and scenarios:  1. Import Mode    - Use : Best for static or slowly changing data.    - Scenario : Frequently used in reports that need fast access and low latency.    - Impact : Queries data entirely from Power BI’s in-memory storage, providing faster performance but requiring more memory. - Benefits : Support all Power BI data source types, including databases, files, feeds, web pages, dataflows and more. Can integrate source data. Support all DAX and Power Query (M) functionality. Support calculated tables Deliver the best query performance Limitations : Power BI imposes dataset size restrictions, which limit the size of a model. When we publish the model to a shared capacity, there's a 1-GB limit per dataset. When the size lim

Automate Your Infrastructure: Infrastructure as Code

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Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is the practice of managing and provisioning infrastructure through code instead of manual processes. In the context of Infrastructure as Code (IaC), each term breaks down as follows: - Infrastructure : Refers to the underlying virtual and physical resources like servers, networks, and storage that support applications and services. - As : Indicates the concept of managing and provisioning infrastructure in a way similar to traditional code, using coding principles like version control and automation. - Code : Describes the process of defining infrastructure setup, configuration, and deployment using scripts and templates rather than manual processes, ensuring consistency and scalability.  # Key Features: 1. Automated Provisioning – Automatically creates and configures resources. 2. Consistency – Ensures consistent environments across deployments. 3. Version Control – Tracks changes, enabling easy rollbacks. 4. Scalability – Supports dynamic scaling and mo

Exploring the Differences: Managed vs. Unmanaged Solutions in Dynamics CRM/Dataverse

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In Dynamics CRM/Dataverse, solutions are central to Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) , providing a structured way to manage, package, and distribute customizations across environments. Microsoft uses solutions to transfer apps and customizations by exporting them from one Dataverse environment and importing them into another.  Each solution is authored and maintained by a publisher and includes components like Power Apps (canvas and model-driven), flows, entities, forms, connectors, web resources, and configurations—excluding business data. Solutions streamline ALM practices within Microsoft Power Platform. In Dynamics CRM/Dataverse, there are two types of solutions: Managed and Unmanaged . When planning an implementation, it’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each to make an informed decision. Let’s explore both types to determine the best approach for development and deployment. In Dynamics 365 CRM, a managed solution is a fully packaged solution that

Effective Strategies for Debugging Plugins in Dynamics CRM

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In a recent interview, I was asked about debugging plugins in Dynamics CRM. The interviewer specifically wanted to know my approach to plugin debugging. In response, I mentioned using the Plugin Registration Tool profiler. However, I later realized there are multiple methods to debug plugins in Dynamics CRM/Dataverse, each essential for efficient troubleshooting. Debugging plays a crucial role in development, and having a solid understanding of various debugging approaches can help streamline issue resolution in Dynamics 365. Here, I'll explore different techniques for debugging plugin code. There are below options to use in the plugin in Dynamics CRM/Dataverse ITracingService : In Dynamics CRM plugin development, ITracingService is a service provided within the plugin's execution context that logs information for tracing and debugging. It allows developers to capture real-time. Plugin Profiler : A plugin profiler in Dynamics CRM (or Dataverse) is a debugging tool in the Plugin

Book Review: Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy

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This is another book by Brian Tracy, a renowned author in the personal development genre. As claimed, it’s an international bestseller with over 1.6 million copies sold. Eat That Frog is a book that offers advice on overcoming procrastination and getting more done in less time. It’s a truth of life that tasks and responsibilities increase over time, like the rolling waves of the ocean that never end within the same time frame. The author advises completing priority tasks and responsibilities first, which he refers to as 'Frogs.' Furthermore, he suggests that if there are two tasks, tackle the ugliest one first. The author emphasizes how we can achieve success and reach our goals. He provides a seven-step formula to avoid vagueness, confusion, and fuzzy thinking. By following this approach, it brings greater clarity to our actions. The author highlights that clear, written goals have a powerful impact on our mindset, motivating us and driving us into action. This method not onl

Book Review : How to be a writer by Ruskin Bond

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Ruskin Bond is a renowned figure in the world of literature who began his writing journey in childhood. He is best known for his children's books and has authored over 70 works. His contributions have been recognized by the Indian government for their significance. When I first started exploring the idea of writing, I discovered many resources. Among them, I found this book, which greatly helped me improve my writing. In this article, I will review and highlight some key insights and tips that can benefit new writers. Ruskin Bond expresses a deep love for writing, calling it his favorite activity and greatest pleasure. He structures his day to ensure time for writing, whether it's a poem, a paragraph, an essay, or part of a longer story—not just because it's his profession, but because of his passion. He believes in a clear conception of ideas, with words flowing naturally like a stream of clear water, ideally a mountain stream, to ensure simplicity and clarity in writing.

Book Review : Maximum Achievement by Brian Tracy

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In early May 2024, I began my third book of the year, recommended by one of my favorite motivators and sources of confidence. Brian Tracy, a renowned author in personal growth, authored the book "Maximum Achievement," which stands as a milestone in this field. In today's information-saturated world, data often becomes noise, creating the illusion of success. Tracy's book offers a unique synthesis of ideas, methods, and techniques, bringing them together in one comprehensive resource for the first time. The author begins his book with the struggles of his early days, where he learned and experienced the realities of life, codifying its secrets and developing strategies and skills. Through his struggles, he earned both money and fame. He documented all these life events in this book, presenting them for others to learn from his experiences and resolve their own life problems. Life is like a combination lock, only with more numbers. If you turn to the right numbers in th

Power Pages Security: A Deep Dive into Defense-in-Depth Techniques

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The objective of defense-in-depth is to protect information and prevent unauthorized access or theft. This strategy employs a series of mechanisms to slow down an attack aimed at acquiring unauthorized data access. Power Pages leverages Microsoft’s and Power Platform’s security stack to offer multi-layered protection against various security threats. This comprehensive security stack enhances the overall security of Power Pages applications by reducing the likelihood of breaches. The Power Pages platform provides makers and administrators with the necessary controls to strengthen security and governance for their sites and data.  Physical Security:    Hosted on Azure App Service with rigorous security and compliance standards.    Managed physical security with restricted access to data centers.  Identity and Access:    Allows both anonymous and authenticated access to business data.    Uses secure Authentication mechanisms and Authorization (RBAC).    Supports multiple identity provide

Navigating the Power Pages Life Cycle

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In the technical domain, a lifecycle refers to the series of stages or phases that an entity, process, or system goes through from its inception to its retirement. Lifecycles are used to manage and control processes, ensuring that each stage is completed systematically and efficiently. Similarly, Microsoft defines specific stages for websites using Power Pages, which are as follows: Trial Website Suspended Website Deleted Website Production A Power Pages website is always created as a trial, in a production, sandbox or trial environment. Trial Website:  Initial stage for evaluating Power Pages.  Limited duration for trial and testing.  Allows users to explore and assess the platform's capabilities.  Limited time period before transitioning to the next stage  No long term commitments or full feature access.  Expires after 30 days on trial environment, but it expires after 90 days on production and sandbox. Suspended Website: Website is temporarily inactive  Temporary halt of website