PL 400 : Describe the PCF component lifecycle (Create a Power Apps Component Framework (PCF) component)

The Microsoft Power Apps component framework enables us to create reusable code components that can be used with our Power Apps applications. This framework  empowers professional developers to build code components when out-of-the-box components do not fit the needs of app makers. These code components can be used to enhance the user experience for users working with data on forms, views, dashboards and canvas app screens.

PCF stands Power Apps Component Framework

These code components are presented as part of the same context and loaded in the same way as any other components and can be used across the full breadth of Power Apps capabilities, and these components can be reused. Is. Developers can bundle all HTML, CSS and TypeScript files into a single solution package file and transfer across environments and also make it available through AppSource.

The following types of components we can add:

  • Field: A custom control for a field on a form.
  • Dataset: A custom control to display rows of data


Component based development always emphasizes on separation of concern and reuse based approach to define, implement and compose loosely coupled independent components in the system. Such frameworks provide well-defined interfaces and sets of protocols to establish collaboration and ensure the interoperability of their components within the scope of a given framework.
The code components are solution aware and can be imported into the Microsoft Dataverse environment by such solutions. For this activity, the user must be in the role of either a system administrator or a system customizer. They can configure the column, sub-grid, view, and dashboard sub-grids to be used in place of the default components. Those code components can be used in both model-driven and canvas apps.

Code components consist of three elements:

  1. Manifest
  2. Component implementation
  3. Resources
Power Apps Component Framework Architecture:

PCF components deliver great visualizations for similar data and provide better usability for end users. For developing such components, we need to understand about the life cycle of this framework. Such PCF components are rendered as HTML in the browser under a CRM form. Below are the four major methods we need to understand what it does and where we need to use each of them. These methods are implemented through the framework runtime process.


When developing a component, it is expected to implement the StandardControl  interface methods. This interface provides a consistent way for the hosting app to interact with the component. These above methods allow the hosting runtime to manage the lifecycle of the code component.


Conclusion:

Power Apps components are built on top of a robust framework that supports modern web practices and these components support React and Angular type client frameworks. This framework only works on Unified Interface and not the legacy web client. This is not currently supported for on-premises environments. The Power Apps component framework enables professional developers and app makers to code components for model-driven and canvas apps.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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

Image
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 ...
Read more

PCF vs. Web Resources: Choosing the Right Extensibility Tool for Dataverse

Image
Extensibility refers to the ability to be extended or augmented beyond the default capabilities of the platform. This involves customization but also includes more advanced techniques, such as coding, integration with external services, and the use of custom components. In the context of Power Platform and Dynamics CRM, the term "extend behavior" refers to the ability to customize and extend the functionality of the platform to meet specific business needs. Extensibility often requires technical skills, such as coding in JavaScript, C#, or using tools like Azure Logic Apps and Power Automate for complex integrations. Customization  is a subset of extensibility. Customization involves configuring and modifying existing elements within the platform to suit specific business needs. Extensibility, on the other hand, covers a wide range of functions and techniques, including customization and more advanced development and integration tasks, to extend the capabilities of the Power ...
Read more

Effective Strategies for Debugging Plugins in Dynamics CRM

Image
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 Plugi...
Read more