Using AL in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central — Lesson 1: Business Central Extension Architecture, AL Setup, and Language Foundations

Topics Covered

• Explain Business Central architecture, extension-based development, and AL tooling
• Configure Visual Studio Code, the AL extension, environments, and launch settings
• Understand AL syntax, variables, data types, expressions, and control structures
• Course objectives, terminology, environment, roles, and realistic use cases
• Prerequisites, dependencies, assumptions, and expected business outcomes
• Baseline setup, safe working practices, and initial validation evidence

Guided Practice Steps

1. Translate the lesson requirement into a clear Using AL in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central implementation or analysis objective.
2. Document assumptions, selected tools or features, dependencies, risks, and expected results.
3. Perform the guided task, capture evidence, and compare the result with the acceptance criteria.
4. Record issues, corrective actions, and a reusable operational or development note.

Practical Activity

Configure an AL workspace and publish a minimal extension to a controlled environment.

• Define the scenario, inputs, constraints, and expected outcome.
• Complete the activity and preserve screenshots, outputs, logs, code, or decision evidence.
• Review the result, identify gaps, and document corrective or improvement actions.

Validation Checklist

• The stated requirement and expected outcome are clear.
• Configuration, code, data, or design decisions are documented.
• Normal, boundary, failure, security, and operational considerations are reviewed.
• Evidence supports the conclusion and the next action is prioritized.

Lesson Outcome

Learners can explain and apply Business Central Extension Architecture, AL Setup, and Language Foundations within a realistic Using AL in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central scenario and support the result with validation evidence.