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Finance | Project Operations, Human Resources, ...
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Is development in AX 2012 and 365 F&O really different

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Hello all,

as subject, in personal opinion, does it a big different between AX 2012 and 365 F&O in their development ?

I planning to "self study" this, I have very little experience in AX development, coming from Axapta 3 developer (way looong time ago) and minor development in AX 2012 (more in X++ then Visual studio back then), and now I need some knowledge in 365 F&O.

I have not found a good online course yet,and only found Udemy course but it is AX 2012 R3 : www.udemy.com/.../

Does it worth ?

Thanks,

I have the same question (0)
  • WillWU Profile Picture
    22,361 on at
    RE: Is development in AX 2012 and 365 F&O really different

    Hi Hardway,

    You have to use VS which is available inside DEV environment. Either you deploy a cloud version of D3FO or you download local VM, both has got a VS. you have to use VS which is provided inside box already by Microsoft. It is no more like installing VS tools as we used to do in AX2012.

    Extension is a new technique and approach to customize or develop a feature within D365FO.  The element which you want to customize or change belongs to a model, you have to add that model in your own model as a reference. Extension of the element is created in your project.This is how extension approach works.

    Microsoft had introduced the Chain of Command with Platform Update 9, It's also a great feature.

    https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/fin-ops-core/dev-itpro/extensibility/method-wrapping-coc.

    Here is a blog for you to start your work:

    https://waywo.co.uk/2018/08/08/getting-started-as-a-developer-with-dynamics-365-for-finance-and-operations-d365fo/

    Hope this helps.

  • Suggested answer
    Rahul Mohta Profile Picture
    21,032 on at
    RE: Is development in AX 2012 and 365 F&O really different

    adding to Satish and Andre,

    Knowlegde of X++ is going to be very helpful though with extension a lot changes when trying to customize

    Architectural differences and use of Visual Studio means a lot to learn for D365FO and if not knowing AX 2012 then saving some unlearning effort

    MS readiness also conducts a lot of courses worldwide which you can check in DLP and gain knowledge

  • Suggested answer
    Satish Panwar Profile Picture
    14,671 Moderator on at
    RE: Is development in AX 2012 and 365 F&O really different

    Hi Hardaway,

    Suggest that you don't take up AX2012 courses and stay focused on D365 unless you want to or may have opportunity for AX2012 work as well. D365 starting codebase was same as AX2012 R3 but has evolved much after that. Every month new features keeps getting released, there are enhancement for development that get released.

    Here is where MS maintain all standard documentation on F&O.

    docs.microsoft.com/.../

  • Hardaway Profile Picture
    on at
    RE: Is development in AX 2012 and 365 F&O really different

    Thank you for clarifying, Andre :)

  • Suggested answer
    André Arnaud de Calavon Profile Picture
    298,959 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at
    RE: Is development in AX 2012 and 365 F&O really different

    Hi Hardaway,

    In fact, I would say 'Yes it is different'. The programming language is still x++, but you can't overlayer objects anymore. Experience in this language is still beneficial in Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations. Now, you need to do development using extensions. The main difference is the way you have to think in solutions. Some examples: Changing a primary key is not possible. You can subscribe to events or use Chain of Commands to influence the standard behavior of coding. There are now workspaces and other form patterns to build compelling UX design.

    I'm not familiar with Udemy, so cant'comment on that. If you do have access to the Dynamics Learning Portal you can follow some e-learning. Also Microsoft Docs has a lot of information.

    Here is a link to the landing page for xxtension based development: docs.microsoft.com/.../extensibility-home-page

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