In the context of PL-400 Microsoft Power Platform Developer Examination, an understanding of creating and using these libraries is vital. They provide an efficient way to package and distribute functionalities that may regularly be required across multiple applications. It contributes to improving the productivity and the quality of the application, while decreasing the time for development.
What is a Reusable Component Library?
A reusable component library is essentially a collection of reusable units of code, bundled and distributed as a single entity. These components are designed to be used across multiple applications, hence promoting code reusability and maintainability. They commonly consist of elements such as user interface (UI) controls, demonstrating interactive elements such as buttons, dropdowns, checkboxes, and others that frequently occur in application development.
Building Reusable Component Libraries in Power Platform
For instance, in the Microsoft Power Platform environment, component libraries are a set of re-usable canvas app components. They are stored in Common Data Service and can be inserted into any canvas app within the environment. This is done via the Power Apps Studio, where developers can create their components, package them into a library, and share it across the organization.
Power Platform promotes building reusable component libraries through its Power Apps Component Framework (PCF). This framework allows developers the flexibility to define the appearance, behaviors, and interfaces of these components.
For instance, if you need to create a reusable “Submit/Cancel” button, you can do this through PCF in Power Apps as follows in the Make.powerapps.com portal:
- Go to the Apps tab.
- Click on ‘New component library’.
- In the new window that appears, choose a name for your component library.
- Add a new component to your library by clicking on the ‘+’ button.
- In the new window that appears, choose the options that best fit your component.
- Once your component is created, you can add/edit the properties and events through the ‘Properties’ and ‘Events’ sidebars in your canvas.
- When satisfied with your component, click on ‘File’ > ‘Save’ to save your component to your library.
The created components can be invoked within apps.
Advantages of Reusable Component Libraries
Here are some key advantages of using reusable component libraries:
- Code Reusability and Maintainability: Components defined once can be reused across multiple applications. Changes to the component only need to be done once, reducing duplicate work and potential bugs.
- Increased Productivity: With predefined components, developers can focus more on implementing functionalities rather than dealing with designing and testing commonly-used UI elements.
- Consistency: Reusable components promote uniformity across apps in terms of look and feel, improving the user experience
Conclusion
Building reusable component libraries is a significant part of the PL-400 Microsoft Power Platform Developer Exam. It encourages efficient coding, whereby reusable components maintain consistency and uniformity. Gaining a deep understanding and proficiency in building these components enable a more streamlined and efficient application development process.
Practice Test
True or False: The reusable component libraries are platform agnostic.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The reusable component libraries are not platform agnostic, they are tied to the specific application development platform they are built for.
Which of the following are benefits of using component libraries? (Multiple Select)
- A. Consistency
- B. Speed Up Development
- C. Easy Maintenance
- D. Increase file size
Answer: A, B, C
Explanation: They help in creating a consistent look and feel across the application, speed up the development process, and make maintenance easier. They however, do not increase the file size.
While using a component library in Power Platform, is it necessary to define dependencies?
- Yes
- No
Answer: Yes
Explanation: It is important to define dependencies to ensure the correct functioning of the Power Platform applications.
True or False: Once created, component libraries cannot be modified.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Component libraries can be updated and modified as per the requirement changes. They are meant to evolve with the application.
What is the primary purpose of the component libraries according to Microsoft? (Single Select)
- A. For creating complex UI layouts
- B. To create accessibility features
- C. To standardize app design and behavior
- D. To automate testing procedures
Answer: C
Explanation: The primary purpose of Component libraries is to standardize app design and behavior. It ensures consistency across different parts of the platform/application.
Can component libraries be used across different Power Apps without any modification?
- Yes
- No
Answer: Yes
Explanation: Component libraries are reusable components and are created so they can be shared and used across different Power Apps.
Can you create a component library in Power Automate?
- Yes
- No
Answer: No
Explanation: Component libraries are specific to Power Apps, and cannot be created in Power Automate.
True or False: A component library can include only one component.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: A component library can contain more than one component. You can add multiple components to a library.
Which of the following is NOT a component of a component library?
- A. Component Metadata
- B. Component Dependencies
- C. Business Rules
- D. Component Images
Answer: C
Explanation: Business rules are not a part of a component library. Component Metadata, Dependencies and Images are all components of a component library.
Can a component library have components that are not even used in a particular app?
- Yes
- No
Answer: Yes
Explanation: A component library can include components regardless of whether they are used in a particular app. The idea is to create a repository of reusable components.
True or False: You cannot enforce custom business rules through a component library.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: A component library specifically focuses on UI elements and does not manage custom business rules.
While creating a reusable component library in Power Apps, is it necessary to create a separate version powered by a known best practice?
- Yes
- No
Answer: Yes
Explanation: It is beneficial to have different versions of a component library, powered by a known best practice to manage updates and changes effectively.
Can you use variable values from your app inside the components of a component library in Power Apps?
- Yes
- No
Answer: No
Explanation: Components from a component library are meant to be stateless and should not contain variable data from the app.
Which of the following entities is not supported in the component library of Power Apps?
- A. PCF Components
- B. Canvas Components
- C. Model-driven forms
- D. Unmanaged forms
Answer: D
Explanation: Unmanaged forms are not supported in the component library of Power Apps. However, Canvas Components, PCF Components, and Model-driven forms are supported.
True or False: All apps using a component library will be affected by changes made to the library.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Changes made to the component library reflect across all the apps using that library.
Interview Questions
What is a reusable component library in Microsoft Power Platform?
In Microsoft Power Platform, a reusable component library is a collection of pre-made components that can be utilized across multiple apps. They allow developers to save time and ensure consistency by reusing these components in different apps rather than building from scratch each time.
Why should developers use reusable components in Power Platform?
There are several reasons:
- Code Reusability: It reduces the amount of code written.
- Time Efficiency: Helps to reduce the amount of time spent building the same component from scratch.
- Consistency: Maintains the consistency across different apps.
What are some examples of reusable components in Microsoft Power Platform?
Examples of reusable components include forms, dashboards, entities, views, charts, and business logic.
How can a developer reference a reusable component library in Power Apps?
A developer can reference a reusable component library in Power Apps by going to Insert > Custom > Import Component. From here, they can select the custom component that they want to use from the component library.
How can a developer share a reusable component library with others?
A developer can share a reusable component library by making it available to other app makers within their organization. They can do this through the Power Apps portal by clicking on Solutions > + New solution > Canvas app > App > Components > + New component.
What is the primary language used to build custom components in Power Platform?
The primary language used to build custom components in Power Platform is TypeScript, along with technologies such as HTML and CSS.
How can developers build a reusable component library in Power Apps?
Developers can build a reusable component library by using Power Apps Component Framework (PCF). They can create a new component library, add components to it, and export it for use in other apps.
What are the benefits of using Power Apps Component Framework (PCF)?
PCF allows developers to build custom, reusable components using modern web technologies. It allows for the creation of highly versatile components with rich UI that can be reused in multiple apps.
What PCF command updates the component definition file (CDF)?
The ‘pac pcf push’ command updates the component definition file (CDF).
Can reusable components be used in both canvas and model-driven apps?
Yes, Power Apps Component Framework (PCF) supports the creation and usage of reusable components in both canvas and model-driven apps.
Which file in a Power Apps Component Framework (PCF) project contains metadata for the component?
The ControlManifest.Input.xml file in a PCF project contains metadata for the component.
What PCF command creates a new custom component project?
The ‘pac pcf init’ command creates a new custom component project.
How can developers test a custom component during development?
Developers can use the ‘pac pcf run’ command to spin up a local development server and test their custom component.
Can developers use third-party libraries when creating custom components with PCF?
Yes, developers can use third-party libraries when creating custom components with Power Apps Component Framework.
What is the significance of the namespace in ControlManifest.Input.xml file of a PCF project?
The namespace in ControlManifest.Input.xml is used as a way to avoid name collisions with other components. It should be a unique name and is generally named after your organization or project.
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