As a Dynamics 365 developer, you might have come across different scenarios where you need to automate certain tasks or customize the platform’s behavior. For instance, you may want to validate data entry, perform some calculations based on specific fields, or trigger some third-party service based on certain updates or events. All these requirements can be easily achieved by writing a simple Dynamics 365 plugin.

Plugins are server-side code pieces that enable you to extend the platform’s functionality and handle various events, such as pre- and post-operation updates, deletes, and creates. In this article, we will guide you through the process of writing a simple plugin in Dynamics 365.

Step 1: Create a Plugin Class

The first step is to create a new class that inherits from the ` IPlugin` interface. This interface requires you to implement the `Execute` method, which handles the plugin logic.

“`csharp
public class ExamplePlugin : IPlugin
{
public void Execute(IServiceProvider serviceProvider)
{
// Your plugin logic goes here
}
}
“`

Step 2: Retrieve Required Data

Once you have created the plugin class, you need to retrieve the data that the plugin will work with. In most cases, you would want to access the primary record that triggered the event. You can achieve this by using the `IServiceProvider` parameter to retrieve the execution context and then access the relevant entities and attributes.

“`csharp
public void Execute(IServiceProvider serviceProvider)
{
IPluginExecutionContext context = (IPluginExecutionContext)serviceProvider.GetService(typeof(IPluginExecutionContext));
if (context.InputParameters.Contains(“Target”) && context.InputParameters[“Target”] is Entity)
{
Entity entity = (Entity)context.InputParameters[“Target”];
// Access entity attributes
}
}
“`

Step 3: Implement the Plugin Logic

Now that you have retrieved the required data, you can write the plugin logic to perform the desired actions. For instance, you might want to validate certain fields before saving the record or perform some calculations based on specific attributes.

“`csharp
public void Execute(IServiceProvider serviceProvider)
{
IPluginExecutionContext context = (IPluginExecutionContext)serviceProvider.GetService(typeof(IPluginExecutionContext));
if (context.InputParameters.Contains(“Target”) && context.InputParameters[“Target”] is Entity)
{
Entity entity = (Entity)context.InputParameters[“Target”];
if (entity.Contains(“new_name”))
{
string name = entity.GetAttributeValue(“new_name”);
if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(name))
{
// Do something with the name attribute
}
}
}
}
“`

Step 4: Register the Plugin

The final step is to register the plugin with the Dynamics 365 platform. You can do this by creating a new plugin step and specifying the assembly and class names.

1. Go to Settings -> Customizations -> Customize the System.
2. Select the entity for which you want to register the plugin.
3. Click on “Plug-in Steps” in the left panel.
4. Click on “New” to create a new plugin step.
5. Fill in the details, including the assembly and class names, and select the desired event.
6. Save the plugin step.

Conclusion

In conclusion, writing a simple Dynamics 365 plugin is a straightforward process that enables you to customize the platform’s behavior and automate various tasks. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily create and register a plugin that handles specific events and performs the desired logic. With plugins, you can enhance your Dynamics 365 experience and make it more efficient and user-friendly.