As developers work towards becoming Microsoft Power Platform Developers, they must equip themselves with skills that encompass a wide range of technical features, such as creating scripts that target the Dataverse Web API. The PL-400 exam tests this among other skills. This post seeks to elucidate how to create client scripting that targets the Dataverse Web API, which will be crucial for passing the PL-400 exam.
Introduction to Dataverse
To start with, Dataverse is a high-productivity data platform from Microsoft that automates the generation of an integrated, optimized data stack – including API layer, data quality layer, and security layer. The Dataverse Web API provides a RESTful interface to Dataverse for creating, updating, and deleting data and for executing platform commands.
Interacting with the Dataverse Web API
To interact with the Dataverse Web API, you employ JavaScript with web resources and form scripts. While both are widely used, JavaScript with web resources is recommended for global scripts that are used throughout an organization, and form scripts for more specific, form-dependent functionality.
Examples to understand the interaction better
Let’s look at an example:
JavaScript with Web Resources:
var clientURL = Xrm.Page.context.getClientUrl();
var req = new XMLHttpRequest();
req.open("GET", encodeURI(clientURL + "/api/data/v9.1/accounts"), true);
req.setRequestHeader("Accept", "application/json");
req.setRequestHeader("Content-Type", "application/json; charset=utf-8");
req.setRequestHeader("OData-MaxVersion", "4.0");
req.setRequestHeader("OData-Version", "4.0");
req.onreadystatechange = function () {
if (this.readyState === 4) {
req.onreadystatechange = null;
if (this.status === 200) {
var results = JSON.parse(this.response);
// Your logic here
} else {
var error = JSON.parse(this.response).error;
console.log("Error: " + error.message);
}
}
};
req.send();
In the sample above, we make an XMLHttpRequest to the endpoint URL of the Dataverse Web API, which is formed by appending ‘/api/data/v9.1/’ to the base URL of the client. The calling user’s security roles and privileges govern the data you’ll be able to access via the Web API.
Form Scripts:
We can also use JavaScript in forms to interact with the Dataverse. Here is an example:
Xrm.WebApi.online.retrieveRecord("account", "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000002", "?$select=name").then(
function success(result) {
console.log("Account name: " + result.name);
},
function (error) {
console.log(error.message);
}
);
In the sample above, we are using the Xrm.WebApi.online.retrieveRecord method to retrieve an account, providing the logical name (account), the record ID, and finally a select statement to choose the fields we want to include in the result.
Conclusion
Creating client scripts that target the Dataverse Web API is a vital part of developing on the Microsoft Power Platform, and understanding the basic principles outlined in this post will pave the way for success in taking the PL-400 exam. Remember to refer to Microsoft’s official documentation for up-to-date, accurate, and detailed instructions and guides.
Practice Test
True or False: The Microsoft Dataverse Web API is used to perform create, read, update and delete operations on Microsoft Dataverse data.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: The Microsoft Dataverse Web API provides a programming interface that enables you to create, retrieve, update and delete records and metadata.
___________ language is used for client scripting to target the Dataverse Web API.
- a) Python
- b) JavaScript
- c) Java
- d) C#
Answer: b) JavaScript
Explanation: JavaScript is commonly used for client scripting to interact with the Dataverse Web API in Microsoft Power Platform.
True or False: You do not need any permissions to create client scripting that targets the Dataverse Web API.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Appropriate permissions are required to perform operations using the Web API.
Multiple Choice: Which HTTP method can be used for creating a new record in the Dataverse Web API?
- a) GET
- b) PUT
- c) POST
- d) DELETE
Answer: c) POST
Explanation: In Dataverse Web API, the HTTP POST method is used to create new records.
True or False: You need to know OData protocol to work with Dataverse Web API.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Understanding OData protocol is important as the Web API implements OData v
Which headers are commonly used in a Dataverse Web API request?
- a) Accept
- b) Authorization
- c) Content-Type
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above.
Explanation: All these headers-Accept, Authorization, Content-Type, are commonly used in a Dataverse Web API request.
True or False: Dataverse Web API supports asynchronous operations.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The API supports asynchronous operations which are useful for time-consuming operations avoiding server timeout.
What is $filter in Dataverse Web API?
- a) A filled-in form
- b) A query parameter
- c) An error message
- d) A JavaScript function
Answer: b) A query parameter
Explanation: $filter is a query parameter used in Dataverse Web API to perform filtering on the data.
Is the error handling mechanism supported by Dataverse Web API?
- Yes
- No
Answer: Yes
Explanation: Dataverse Web API supports error handling which helps developers to manage scenarios where the API call does not behave as expected.
Does the Dataverse Web API only interact with client-side scripts?
- Yes
- No
Answer: No
Explanation: While it can be used with client-side scripts (like JavaScript), Dataverse Web API can also be utilized in server-side code to perform operations.
True or False: You can transmit binary data with the Dataverse Web API.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Dataverse Web API supports various types of data, including transmitting binary data such as document files associated with records.
Can the Dataverse Web API be used to manage security roles and privileges?
- Yes
- No
Answer: Yes
Explanation: Dataverse Web API allows you to manage application security, including roles and privileges.
True or False: The Dataverse Web API only supports XML data format.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The Dataverse Web API accepts requests and sends responses in either JSON or XML format.
Which option is not a type of authentication used with the Dataverse Web API?
- a) Azure Active Directory
- b) Anonymous
- c) OAuth 0
- d) Microsoft Account
Answer: b) Anonymous
Explanation: The Dataverse Web API supports various types of authentication methods but not anonymous.
True or False: CORS (Cross Origin Resource Sharing) is supported by the Dataverse Web API.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The Dataverse Web API supports CORS which allows JavaScript hosted in pages from another domain to access the API.
Interview Questions
What is the primary use of the Microsoft Dataverse Web API?
The primary use of the Microsoft Dataverse Web API is to perform create, read, update, and delete (CRUD) operations on Dataverse entities and metadata from client applications.
In what languages or platforms can you create client scripting with the Dataverse Web API?
You can create client scripting in various languages or platforms, including JavaScript, C#, Python, and more.
What type of data is returned by the Web API endpoint in the Dataverse?
The Web API endpoint in Dataverse returns data in JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format.
What is the standard base URL path in Dataverse Web API?
The standard base URL path in Dataverse Web API is “/api/data/v9.0/”. This may change with different versions.
Can the Dataverse Web API be used for creating real-time workflows?
No, the Dataverse Web API is not designed to create real-time workflows, it is used for CRUD operations in client applications.
Does the Dataverse Web API use RESTful principles?
Yes, the Dataverse Web API adheres to RESTful principles, enabling you to work with resources (entities) via predictable URLs.
How does the Dataverse Web API handle authentication?
The Dataverse Web API uses OAuth 2.0 for authentication.
What is the primary purpose of Web API functions in the Dataverse?
Web API functions in the Dataverse perform operations that return data without modifying any data.
Are there any limitations on the amount of data that you can retrieve using the Web API?
Yes, to optimize performance and prevent operation timeouts, there is a maximum limit of 5000 records that can be returned in a single retrieve request.
Is it possible to perform batch operations using the Dataverse Web API?
Yes, batch operations are possible with the Dataverse Web API. They are helpful in reducing the number of HTTP connections made to the server.
What are actions in the context of the Dataverse Web API?
Actions in the Dataverse Web API represent operations which can change data, unlike functions, which only retrieve data.
Can you use Dataverse Web API to read and write binary data?
Yes, the Dataverse Web API allows you to read and write binary data such as images or files.
What is the structure of the Web API query in dataverse?
The structure of a Web API query includes the root URL, collection, record ID, and property. For example: GET [Organization URI]/api/data/v9.0/accounts(00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001)/name
How are errors returned in the Dataverse Web API?
Errors are returned in an HTTP Response with a status code outside the 200 and 204 range. The response body contains detailed error information in JSON format.
How is impersonation handled in the Dataverse Web API?
Impersonation in the Dataverse Web API is handled by setting the “MSCRMCallerID” system user ID value in the header of the HTTP request.
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