Dynamics NAV -Developing our first extension

Hello reader, now that we have prepared our development environment ready for extensions, it's time we create our first extension.
Incase you have not prepared the environment for extensions development please check blog archive for "Dynamics NAV extensions development"

Today we will create our first extension for Dynamics NAV 2018/ Business Central.
First some rules;

• Run your dynamics NAV client
• Run the microsoft Dynamics NAV configuration manager.
• Enable developer service endpoint and loading symbol references at server. These two should be checked i the development fast tab.

• Run the instance again and make sure it is working fine.

Now it is time to create our project.

• Run VS code
• Once the IDE is fully fired up, run the command CTRL + SHIFT + P from the command bar.
• Select AL GO

• A path is displayed in the command bar. It is the path to where the new project will be created
• Edit the last piece of the address, it is the project name. I will call mine ALTEST1
• Once that is done, hit enter on your keyboard.

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• The IDE will initialise and create all the files needed for the start of our project
• Once it is done, check your left. you will see a file HelloWorld.al
• That is our al file

Note the message. It will be displayed every time we initiate our extension

• Navigate to launch.json. This file contains the server settings.
• Edit

name = "localhost" > Refers to name of your PC/server name
server = "http://localhost" > Address of your server where Dynamics NAV service is running
server instance = "DynamicsNAV110" > The instance of Dynamics NAV where your extension will be executed
authentication = "Windows" > The authentication that shall be used to access Dynamics NAV server
startupObjectID = 22 > The object will invoke execution of our extension

• Next we need to download symbols. This is similar to getting all references in one place
• Go to command bar and type
• CTRL + SHIFT + P and select download symbols

Once the symbols have downloaded, the system will display a series of messages in output window at the bottom. Please note that a failure may be caused by NAV server being off. Make sure you run it before this step

Next Package and Publish
On the command bar press CTRL +SHIFT + P select publish

Now u have published your Extension. Its time for you to check it out in Dynamics NAV 2018 client

• Search for "Extension management"

• Now you can verify that the Extension is installed.

• Run the Customer List page. page 22
• Now you can see the message box

That marks the end of our first extension. Let  us catch up in the next one.
Good luck!