In Microsoft Power Platform, solution layers consist of a series of components that are sets of related entities, fields, forms, views, charts, dashboards, etc., that we customize and package together.
Overview of Solution Layers
In a managed or unmanaged solution, every customization has its distinct layer. When Microsoft Power Platform applies customizations, it does so in a particular order, resulting in a solution stack. This solution stack comprises these different layers, with the base solution at the bottom and the managed solutions stacked on top of one another.
When a solution or system without dependencies is uninstalled, its layer is entirely removed from the system. Reversely, when a solution with dependencies is uninstalled, the system alert shows outstanding dependencies that prevent the solution from being uninstalled.
Importance of Solution Layers
Solution layers are important for several reasons:
- Customization: They enable you to set features and capabilities according to your needs.
- Control: They allow you to manage and control system behaviors and handle exceptions without changing the base solution.
- Shared Features: They enable different organizations to share their proprietary solution features.
How to Manage Solution Layers
1. Creating a Solution
You can create a solution by navigating to Solutions > New. Here, enter details like the Solution Name, Publisher, Version, and Description. Your solutions can either be managed or unmanaged.
2. Adding Components to a Solution
To add components to your solution, you need to select the solution and click on Add Existing. You can choose the desired component type and select from the list to add to your solution.
3. Exporting and Importing Solutions
Under Solutions, you can export a solution by selecting More Actions > Export. For importing a solution, navigate to Solutions > Import.
Here is a simple comparison between Managed and Unmanaged Solutions:
| Managed Solution | Unmanaged Solution |
|---|---|
| You cannot directly modify these solutions. | You can directly modify these solutions. |
| Imported to an environment as a single package. | Imported to an environment as a series of layers. |
| Can only be exported as a Managed Solution. | Can be exported as both Managed and Unmanaged Solutions. |
| Recommended for Production Environments. | Recommended for Dev/Test Environments. |
Overall, understanding and managing solution layers is crucial for a Microsoft Power Platform Developer. Therefore, when preparing for the PL-400 exam, potential candidates should focus on learning how to manage solution layers effectively. By understanding how to create, import, export, and modify solution layers, potential candidates will be able to customize the Microsoft Power Platform according to their needs, providing efficient and effective solutions for their business.
Practice Test
True or False: In Microsoft Power Platform, components can only be added to the default solution.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Components can be added to any unmanaged solution. The default solution, an unmanaged solution, contains all the components of the platform.
True or False: You can delete solution components directly from the default solution.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: You can’t delete solution components directly from the default solution. Deletions must be done from unmanaged solutions.
What is the purpose of a Managed solution in Microsoft Power Platform?
- A. To edit components directly
- B. To provide a way to package and install solution components
- C. To allow solution components to be deleted
Answer: B. To provide a way to package and install solution components
Explanation: A Managed solution is used for packaging and installing solution components, and prevents the components within it from being edited or deleted.
True or False: Managed solutions can’t include any component you don’t have dependencies for.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Managed solutions cannot contain items that your organization does not have dependencies for. Components in a managed solution must have all the required components in the managed solution.
Which solutions can be imported into any environment and are sealed to prevent editing or deleting the components?
- A. Managed solutions
- B. Unmanaged solutions
- C. Default solutions
Answer: A. Managed solutions
Explanation: Only Managed solutions can be imported into any environment and are sealed to prevent modifications.
Which of these processes are needed to modify a managed solution?
- A. Exporting it and re-importing as an unmanaged solution
- B. Directly editing the managed solution
- C. Deleting it and rebuilding the solution
Answer: A. Exporting it and re-importing as an unmanaged solution
Explanation: Direct modification of a managed solution is disallowed. The solution has to be exported and re-imported as an unmanaged solution to allow modifications.
True or False: There can only be one publisher per solution.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Each solution only has one publisher. The publisher record includes information such as prefix and customization option values.
True or False: Publisher record can be modified by changing its prefix.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The publisher record contains a prefix that can be modified as per the requirements.
What is the importance of solution layering?
- A. It defines the storage limit for each solution
- B. It determines how conflicts between components are resolved
- C. It indicates the dependencies between different solutions
Answer: B. It determines how conflicts between components are resolved
Explanation: Solution layering is vital as it determines how conflicts between components are resolved when multiple unmanaged layers amend them.
True or False: It’s possible to add the same component to multiple unmanaged solutions.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Components can be added to multiple unmanaged solutions. When this occurs, layering determines which solution’s configuration prevails.
When you remove a solution, what happens to the components within that solution?
- A. They are automatically deleted
- B. They move to the default solution
- C. They remain unaffected
Answer: C. They remain unaffected
Explanation: When you remove a solution, the components themselves are not deleted or moved. They still exist in the system.
True or False: Deleting an unmanaged solution also deletes the components inside that solution.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Deleting an unmanaged solution does not delete the components inside that solution. It merely removes the reference to those components from that solution.
Which of the following can you not do in the default solution?
- A. Edit existing components
- B. Delete components
- C. Add new components
Answer: B. Delete components
Explanation: In the default solution, you can edit existing components and create new components but you cannot delete components.
True or False: Managed properties define what actions can be taken on a component within a managed solution.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Managed properties define what can be done with the component once it is included in a managed solution, such as whether it can be customized or deleted.
What kind of solution is intended for development and can be customized directly?
- A. Managed solution
- B. Unmanaged solution
- C. Default solution
Answer: B. Unmanaged solution
Explanation: Unmanaged solutions are intended for development or for distribution of solutions for the purpose of allowing other people to customize them. They can be directly edited or customized.
Interview Questions
What is the main purpose of solution layers in Power Apps?
The main purpose of solution layers is to allow developers to extend the system and maintain specific assets within the system without affecting the base system behavior. This supports customizations and multiple developers.
What are the two types of layers in solution layering?
The two types are System layers (base system behavior) and Custom layers (all the changes done by customization and extensions).
How can a developer view a solution layer in Power Apps?
A developer can view a solution layer by navigating to the solution, select a component of interest, and then choose “See the layers”.
How are solution layers ordered in Microsoft Power Platform?
Solution layers are ordered based on the solution installation time. The solution installed most recently will be on top, and the oldest (system layer) will be at the bottom.
What effect does the order of solution layers have in Power Apps?
The order of solution layers determine which customizations will take effect when there are overlapping modifications. The customizations in the uppermost layers will prevail.
If there are two customization in different layers, which one will have an effect?
The customization in the uppermost layer will have an effect because layers are applied from top to bottom.
What is an unmanaged solution in Microsoft Power Platform?
An unmanaged solution is a group of unmanaged customizations. Any changes made to the components of an unmanaged solution are done directly on them, which impacts all the solutions that include these components.
What is a managed solution in Microsoft Power Platform?
A managed solution is a finalized (compiled) solution that can be distributed and installed. The components in a managed solution cannot be modified, and the solution cannot be removed until all dependencies have been removed.
What does a publisher do in solutions in Power Apps?
A publisher creates and manages solutions. The publisher references that are used by a solution include prefix and option value prefix.
What happens when a managed solution is uninstalled from an environment in Power Apps?
When a managed solution is uninstalled, all components items that it provided would be removed and all the data stored in its entities would be lost.
Can users modify the components of a managed solution?
No, users cannot modify the components of a managed solution. This ensures the integrity of the solution as defined by the publisher.
How can you identify a layer that contains a customization or configuration issue within a solution?
Solution layers tool in Power Apps can be used to identify the layer that contains problematic customizations or configurations. By examining each layer, you can identify which customization is causing the issue.
How can more than one developer work on the same components simultaneously using solutions?
Different developers can install their solutions creating different layers, so they can work independently on the same components.
What does the “See the layers” button in the solution window do?
The “See the layers” button allows developers to see a list of all the layers applied to a component in order of sequence, from the most recently applied to the base system layer.
What should you consider before removing a solution layer?
Before removing a solution layer, it’s important to consider any dependencies that might be affected. Removing a layer can potentially break the functionality of other solutions that depend on it.
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