Packaging typically applies to custom components. These components are generally encapsulated scripts of code or customized datasets that can be bundled together for reuse across multiple projects or environments. Microsoft Power Platform leverages a solution package (.solutions file), which holds different components like tables, custom applications, flows, dashboards, etc.
To package a component:
- Navigate to the Power Apps portal, and then solutions.
- Click on ‘New Solution’, fill in the required details like Publisher, Version, Name, etc., and click the ‘Create’ button.
- Click on the ‘Add Existing’ dropdown button and choose the desired component.
- Choose the required component from the list, and click on the ‘Add’ button.
For instance, let’s say we have a Power Apps custom connector named ‘ExampleConnector’. We can package this connector into a solution file for reuse or delivery to different environments.
Deploying a Component
Deployment involves moving the solution file from one environment to another. This step helps in maintaining coherence and consistency across development, staging, and production environments.
Power Platform supports manual and automated deployment approaches using the Power Apps portal or Azure DevOps, respectively.
For manual deployment, follow these steps:
- Navigate to the Power Apps portal, and then solutions.
- Select the solution file and then click on ‘Export’.
- Save the solution file locally.
- Switch to the target environment.
- Click on ‘Import’ and choose the solution file saved formerly.
For automated deployment, Azure DevOps provides a set of dedicated build and release tasks. Azure pipelines can handle the extraction, manipulation, and import actions regarding solution files.
Consuming a Component
Once deployed and published, components within the solution file are ready for use. For example, an entity can be consumed in a Power Apps canvas app by simply connecting to it.
Here’s how to consume a table, named ‘ExampleTable’ in a canvas app:
- Open the canvas app, click on ‘Data’ and then ‘Add data’. Choose the environment where ‘ExampleTable’ resides.
- Type ‘ExampleTable’ into the search box and click on it when it appears in the dropdown list.
- Now, ‘ExampleTable’ is added to your app and is ready to use in your formulas.
This way, packaging, deploying and consuming components can streamline the process of app development within the Microsoft Power Platform, ensuring consistency across environments and reusability of components. It also minimizes errors and reduces development time by facilitating easier tracking and management of components. The PL-400 Microsoft Power Platform Developer exam covers these essential skills comprehensively, and mastering them will set a strong foundation for your Power Platform journey.
Practice Test
True or False: “When you use a solution to manage your Power Platform components, you can easily bundle components, manage component dependencies, and deploy components across environments”.
- Answer: True
Explanation: The primary use case for solutions in Power Platform is to bundle, manage, and deploy components.
Can Power Platform components be managed and deployed individually, without using a solution?
- Answer: No
Explanation: Power Platform components must be managed and deployed as part of a solution.
What is the first step to deploying a component in the Power Platform?
- A: Creating a solution
- B: Creating a Component
- C: Exporting the Solution
- D: Importing the Solution
- Answer: A: Creating a solution
Explanation: Before deploying a component, the solution that contains it must first be created.
True or False: “Power Platform supports Managed and Unmanaged solutions. ‘Unmanaged’ solutions can be customized in the target environment.”
- Answer: True
Explanation: This is correct. In Unmanaged solutions, the components can be customized in the target environment.
What type of solution is recommended for deployment to production environments?
- A: Managed solution
- B: Unmanaged solution
- Answer: A: Managed solution
Explanation: Managed solutions are recommended for deployment to production environments as they prevent editing or removal of components.
True or False: “Packages in Power Platform can include apps, data, and components, but cannot include flows from Power Automate.”
- Answer: False
Explanation: Packages in Power Platform can include apps, data, flows and various other components.
What command can be used to package a solution for deployment to another environment?
- A: Export
- B: Import
- C: Deploy
- D: Package
- Answer: A: Export
Explanation: The ‘Export’ command is used to package a solution for deployment to another environment.
Which of the following can be a part of Power Platform solution?
- A: Canvas Apps
- B: Model-driven Apps
- C: Power Automate flows
- D: All of the above
- Answer: D: All of the above
Explanation: All Canvas Apps, Model-driven Apps, and Power Automate flows can be part of a solution.
True or False: “You can directly modify and customize Managed solutions in the target environment.”
- Answer: False
Explanation: Managed solutions cannot be directly customized in the target environment; they are read-only and controlled by the publisher.
What command can be used to consume a solution in a new environment?
- A: Import
- B: Export
- C: Deploy
- D: Consume
- Answer: A: Import
Explanation: The ‘Import’ command is used to consume a solution in a new environment.
True or False: “A component can be part of multiple solutions within the same environment”
- Answer: True
Explanation: A component can indeed exist in multiple solutions within the same environment, so long as the solutions are Unmanaged.
What is the best practice for versioning solutions in Power Platform?
- A: Use a different name for each version
- B: Use the version number in the solution name
- C: Use the version number in the solution description
- D: Track version numbers externally
- Answer: C: Use the version number in the solution description
Explanation: The recommended best practice for versioning solutions in Power Platform is to include the version number in the description of the solution.
True or False: “You can include data with your app by using a Solution.
- Answer: True
Explanation: With ‘Data Export Service’, you can include entities data in your solution.
What types of changes are stored in an ‘Unmanaged’ solution?
- A: Changes to existing components
- B: New components
- C: Deletion of components
- D: All of the above
- Answer: D: All of the above
Explanation: Any changes to existing components or addition/deletion of components are tracked in an unmanaged solution.
True or False: “An Unmanaged solution, once imported into a new environment, becomes a Managed solution”
- Answer: False
Explanation: An Unmanaged solution remains Unmanaged after import. It can only be converted to a Managed solution during the export process.
Interview Questions
1. What is a Package in Microsoft Power Platform?
A package in Power Platform is a set of customizations, configurations, and extensions bundled together. These bundles are created by developers to add functionality, automate processes, or modify the application for different operational requirements.
2. How can you deploy a package in Power Platform?
Deployment in Power Platform can be done either through a solution file (.zip) or by importing a solution directly from a Dynamics 365 instance. For automated deployments, you can use the Power Platform CLI commands or tools like Azure DevOps.
3. What does the term ‘consume a component’ mean in Power Platform?
‘Consume a component’ refers to the act of utilizing a created component within an application or process. The component could be a custom entity, a plugin, a workflow, or part of a user interface, and is consumed when it is called or actioned within the system.
4. Is it possible to export a managed solution package as an unmanaged one?
No, it is not possible to export a managed solution package as an unmanaged one. Managed solutions are intended to be distributed and maintained by a solution provider and cannot be modified by the receiver.
5. What is the key difference between Managed and Unmanaged packages?
The key difference lies in their flexibility. Managed solutions are locked and cannot be modified after they are exported, while Unmanaged solutions can be customized and modified even after distribution.
6. What is Power Platform CLI?
Power Platform CLI (Command Line Interface) is a unified tooling experience for developers. It provides a single unified interface to interact with Power Platform resources and operations like creating, deploying, and managing app components.
7. How can a component be consumed in Power Platform?
A component can be consumed by adding it to an application, a flow, or another solution. This would involve navigating to the app, flow, or solution, and then using the ‘add existing’ option to add the component.
8. What is the purpose of a solution in Power Platform?
In the Power Platform, solutions are used to package one or more components that extend the platform. Solutions allow for easy distribution and implementation of updates, patches, or new features across different environments.
9. What happens after consuming a component in Power Apps?
After consuming a component in Power Apps, the app or flow can call upon the functionality provided by the component. This allows apps and flows to perform actions or behave in ways specified by the component.
10. What are some scenarios when to use a managed solution?
Managed solutions are used when you want to distribute a solution to different organizations and ensure that they cannot modify the solution’s components. This is commonly used by Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) or for the distribution of apps that are not expected to be modified at the user end.
11. Can you modify components in an imported managed solution?
No, components of an imported managed solution cannot be modified. They are read-only and controlled by the original solution publisher.
12. Can an unmanaged solution be converted to a managed solution later?
Yes, an unmanaged solution can be converted into a managed solution by exporting it as a managed solution.
13. How can a developer automate package deployment in Power Platform?
A developer can automate package deployment in Power Platform via tools like Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions, following CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) principles.
14. What happens when you delete an unmanaged solution from Power Platform?
When you delete an unmanaged solution, only the solution container is removed, not the components within. The components remain in the default solution and can be utilized by other solutions.
15. What happens when you delete a managed solution from Power Platform?
When a managed solution is deleted, all the components of that solution are also deleted from the system unless those components are being used by another managed solution.
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