Synchronizing data using change tracking is an essential strategy for managing data on the Microsoft Power Platform, particularly when preparing for the PL-400 Power Platform Developer exam. Gaining a solid understanding of this topic can not only help ace the exam but also provide developers with a toolbox of skills for managing real-world applications effectively.
Change tracking allows applications to acquire information about data changes, including changes in the type of operations like Inserts, Updates, and Deletes. By employing change tracking, changes can be identified, resulting in effortless synchronization between two data stores. This methodology is especially important in Power Apps and Dataverse environments, where data sync is a common requirement.
1. Basics of change tracking
Change tracking stores information about all modifications to a database and who made them. The process is managed at a column level of every table tracked, storing data including the operation type, the operation’s primary key, and when the change was made.
2. Enabling Change Tracking
Change tracking is not enabled by default and must be activated for each table where tracking is required. To implement it, a developer can navigate to the desired table and tick the ‘Change Tracking’ box. By doing so, changes will begin tracking and can be used for various operations. Developers need to know that for tables with many columns, especially large text columns, enabling change tracking may use more memory and affect overall performance. This impact is vital when preparing for PL-400 exam.
3. Reading Data Changes
Once change tracking is enabled, specific queries can be used to detect changes. Functions like the RetrieveEntityChangesRequest method can be used to get changes and synchronize them accordingly. The information for insert, update and delete actions are usually returned, but the actual data for deleted records is not returned, only the primary key. It is crucial to note that after calling the RetrieveEntityChangesRequest method, the system will regard all change tracks as ‘handled’, and they won’t be returned by the method again.
4. Change Tracking Use Cases and Benefits
Change tracking can be beneficial in cases like data synchronization, auditing, and event-driven operations. For instance, if a Power App relies on data from several data sources, these sources can be tracked for changes to trigger specific actions within the application. Additionally, change tracking can allow auditing functionally where all changes, including “who made them” and “when”, can be stored and analyzed when required.
In conclusion, synchronizing data using change tracking is a crucial aspect of the PL-400 Power Platform Developer exam. Effective utilization of change tracking can substantially simplify data management tasks, reduce network traffic, and minimize conflict during data synchronization. For students preparing for the PL-400 exam, hands-on practice with these concepts can be critically important in understanding the nuances of the module and to perform better in the exam. After all, this exam requires not only theoretical knowledge but also the practical application of Power Platform concepts. Be sure to consider change tracking as a part of your comprehensive study strategy.
Practice Test
True or False: Change Tracking can be utilized in DA-100 Power BI, but not in PL-400 Power Platform.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Change Tracking can be leveraged in both PL-400 Power Platform and many other Microsoft technologies.
Can you use the Change Tracking feature in Microsoft Power Apps?
- A. No
- B. Yes
Answer: B. Yes
Explanation: Yes, the Change Tracking feature can be utilized in Microsoft Power Apps to maintain data consistency.
True or False: Synchronizing data using Change tracking helps in maintaining data consistency.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Synchronizing data by Using Change Tracking truly helps in maintaining data consistency across various platforms and applications.
Which of the following functionalities does Change Tracking provide? (Multiple selections allowed)
- A. It minimizes the volume of data sent in a synchronization scenario.
- B. It helps to keep the data in sync.
- C. It decreases the speed of data synchronization.
- D. It fully supports offline scenarios.
Answer: A. It minimizes the volume of data sent in a synchronization scenario, B. It helps to keep the data in sync, D. It fully supports offline scenarios.
Explanation: Change Tracking provides various functionalities except for decreasing the speed of data synchronization. It actually increases the speed of data synchronization.
True or False: Change Tracking doesn’t provide any API to track changes.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Change Tracking does provide APIs that applications can use to detect what data has changed.
Change Tracking is used for what purposes in Power Platform developer?
- A. For data synchronization
- B. For tracking data changes
- C. To identify when the application is being used
- D. Both A and B
Answer: D. Both A and B
Explanation: Change Tracking is used for both data synchronization and tracking data changes, but not for identifying when the application is being used.
True or False: You cannot use Change Tracking for complex changes in data.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Change Tracking can indeed be used for complex changes in data, tracking every single change made.
Change tracking helps in what in a synchronization scenario?
- A. Reducing the volume of data
- B. Keeping data in sync
- C. Increasing speed
- D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: Change Tracking reduces the volume of data, keeps data in sync, and increases synchronization speed.
True or False: Change Tracking can perform without access to an Internet connection.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Change Tracking fully supports offline scenarios, therefore, Internet access is not mandatory.
True or False: Change Tracking can minimize the volume of data that is sent during a synchronization scenario.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: True as Change Tracking only syncs the data which has been changed, hence minimizing the volume of data sent during a synchronization scenario.
In case of offline scenarios, Change Tracking:
- A. Does not support
- B. Fully supports
- C. Partially supports
- D. None of the above
Answer: B. Fully supports
Explanation: Change Tracking fully supports offline scenarios, allowing users to track changes even when not connected to the internet.
True or False: Change tracking is only available for Premium users.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: Change tracking is a part of the PL-400 Power Platform and therefore, it is available for all users not just premium ones.
What is the main benefit of Change Tracking in Power Platform Developer?
- A. It provides data encryption.
- B. It can track every change made, allowing for more efficient data synchronization.
- C. It decreases the cost of the platform.
Answer: B. It can track every change made, allowing for more efficient data synchronization.
Explanation: The primary benefit of Change Tracking is to track every small or big change, making data synchronization more efficient.
Interview Questions
What is the primary use of data synchronization in Microsoft Power Platform?
The primary use of data synchronization in Microsoft Power Platform is to ensure that the data across different systems remains consistent and up-to-date. It helps in keeping track of the changes (inserts, updates, and deletes) in the data source.
Which Microsoft Power Platform feature enables change tracking for data synchronization?
The feature that enables change tracking for data synchronization in Microsoft Power Platform is called Change Tracking.
What are the primary functions of Change Tracking in Microsoft Power Platform?
The primary functions of Change Tracking include maintaining data consistency across systems, keeping data up-to-date, and tracking changes including inserts, updates, and deletions.
How is Change Tracking enabled in Microsoft Power Platform?
Change Tracking is enabled on an entity level in Microsoft Power Platform. In the entity settings, under the Data Services options, you can enable or disable Change Tracking.
How does the Change Tracking feature help in reducing the volume of data that must be downloaded?
Change Tracking enables the system to download only the changes that occurred since the last download. This subsequently reduces the volume of data that must be downloaded and also makes synchronization faster and more efficient.
How can you retrieve changes with the RetrieveEntityChangesRequest message?
The RetrieveEntityChangesRequest message is used in combination with the Data Version returned by previous change tracking calls. This message will return all changes since the given Data Version.
In Microsoft Power Platform, what indicates a scalable and secured data synchronization?
Scalable and secured data synchronization in Microsoft Power Platform is illustrated by tracking changes at the entity level, retrieving changes, and having the ability to keep up with considerable volumes of data across different locations and systems.
What is necessary before calling the RetrieveEntityChangesResponse for the first time?
Before calling the RetrieveEntityChangesResponse for the first time, the Change Tracking feature must be enabled on the respective entity that you want to synchronize.
What type of entities support change tracking in Microsoft Power Platform?
Both system and custom entities support change tracking in Microsoft Power Platform, but it must be enabled individually for each entity.
What is the significance of the Data Token in the Change Tracking process?
The Data Token is a critical element in the Change Tracking process. It represents a snapshot of the state of data at a specific point in time and is used to retrieve changes that have happened since the data token was last issued.
How can you enable Change Tracking for an entity using code?
Change Tracking for an entity can be enabled using the UpdateEntityRequest message. It includes a Boolean property called ‘Has Change Tracking’, which has to be set as true.
Can change tracking be enabled for intersect entities in the Power Platform?
No, change tracking cannot be enabled for intersect entities in Microsoft Power Platform.
Can you enable Change Tracking in Microsoft Power Platform without administrative privileges?
No, administrative privileges are needed to enable Change Tracking in Microsoft Power Platform, as it involves creating or updating system or custom entities.
What happens if Change Tracking is disabled while an application is still using it for synchronization?
If Change Tracking is disabled, the system stops tracking data changes, and the applications will not be able to synchronize the data until Change Tracking is enabled again.
Can Change Tracking be used with large volumes of data?
Yes, Change Tracking is designed to handle large volumes of data effectively, and it optimizes data synchronization by downloading only the changes since the last synchronization.
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