Pre- and Post-Deployment Scripts

When managing deployments in Microsoft Dynamics 365 or Power Platform, ensuring that solutions are deployed correctly across different environments is critical. As organizations scale, the complexity of managing data, configurations, customizations, and integrations increases. In such cases, relying purely on manual deployment methods is not only time-consuming but also prone to errors. This is where pre- and post-deployment scripts come into play.

Pre- and post-deployment scripts are an essential part of deployment automation and solution management in Dynamics 365 and Power Platform. These scripts help streamline the deployment process, reduce the chances of errors, and ensure that the environment is correctly configured before and after a solution is deployed. In this article, we will explore the importance of pre- and post-deployment scripts, how they work, and the best practices for using them effectively.

What Are Pre- and Post-Deployment Scripts?

Pre- and post-deployment scripts are custom scripts that are executed automatically at different points during the solution deployment process.

Pre-Deployment Scripts

A pre-deployment script is executed before the solution is imported into an environment. The primary purpose of a pre-deployment script is to set up the environment or perform necessary configuration steps that must be done before the solution is deployed. These tasks might include creating records, setting environment variables, configuring services, or preparing the environment for the incoming solution.

For example, you may want to set up certain configuration settings, create entities, or initialize some data that are required by the solution to function correctly.

Post-Deployment Scripts

A post-deployment script is executed after the solution has been successfully deployed. The purpose of post-deployment scripts is to perform additional setup tasks that cannot be done during the pre-deployment phase, or to validate and clean up after the solution is installed. This could include tasks such as:

• Re-indexing databases or records.
• Creating additional records or updating data that may depend on the solution being deployed.
• Validating the deployment to ensure everything is correctly installed.
• Configuring integrations with other services or systems.

By utilizing these scripts, you can automate the deployment process, making it faster and less prone to human error.

Why Use Pre- and Post-Deployment Scripts?

Pre- and post-deployment scripts are useful for a variety of reasons:

1. Automation of Setup and Configuration: Automation helps eliminate manual tasks and ensures that the environment is properly configured before and after a solution is deployed.
2. Consistency: These scripts ensure that the solution deployment is consistent across different environments (development, staging, production) by automating environment-specific tasks.
3. Reduced Risk: By automating necessary steps, you reduce the risk of human error during the deployment process. This makes deployments more reliable and predictable.
4. Time-Saving: Automating tasks such as data initialization, record creation, or environment setup reduces the time spent on manual configurations, freeing up resources for more strategic tasks.
5. Environment-Specific Configurations: Pre- and post-deployment scripts allow for environment-specific configurations. For example, an integration with a production system may differ from a development or test environment.

Pre-Deployment Scripts: Setting the Stage for a Successful Deployment

Pre-deployment scripts typically run before the actual solution import and prepare the environment for the solution. The goal is to ensure that all the prerequisites and configurations are in place so that the solution can be imported smoothly.

Common Tasks Performed by Pre-Deployment Scripts

1. Creating Required Entities: If your solution requires certain entities or custom records to be present in the target environment, pre-deployment scripts can create these entities or records. For instance, you might want to ensure that a custom entity or an option set exists before importing the solution.
2. Environment Configuration: Pre-deployment scripts can configure necessary settings, such as connection references, environment variables, or service endpoints, to match the requirements of the solution.
3. Permissions and Security Roles: Setting up security roles and permissions can be part of the pre-deployment phase. This includes assigning specific security roles to users who will interact with the solution or setting up business unit permissions.
4. Data Initialization: You can use pre-deployment scripts to initialize data that your solution depends on. This could include creating initial records, setting option values, or adding metadata that the solution needs to function properly.
5. Service Integrations: Some solutions may require integrations with external systems or services (such as APIs or third-party applications). A pre-deployment script can ensure that these integrations are configured and ready to work once the solution is imported.

Writing Pre-Deployment Scripts

Pre-deployment scripts are typically written in C# or JavaScript, depending on the specific tasks they need to perform. In the case of C#, you can leverage the Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk namespace to interact with Dynamics 365 environments. JavaScript may be used when specific client-side changes or operations are needed before the solution is deployed.

A simple pre-deployment script might look like this:

using Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk;
using Microsoft.Xrm.Tooling.Connector;

namespace PreDeploymentScripts
{
    public class SetupEnvironment
    {
        public void Execute()
        {
            // Establish connection to Dynamics 365
            IOrganizationService service = new ServiceClient("your_connection_string");

            // Example: Create a custom entity record if it does not exist
            Entity entity = new Entity("new_custom_entity");
            entity["new_name"] = "Example Record";
            service.Create(entity);
        }
    }
}

In this example, the script connects to the Dynamics 365 environment and creates a custom entity record.

Running Pre-Deployment Scripts

Pre-deployment scripts can be executed in various ways, depending on your tools and setup. If you’re using Azure DevOps or Power Platform Build Tools, these scripts can be integrated directly into the pipeline to run before importing the solution.

Post-Deployment Scripts: Cleaning Up and Finalizing

Post-deployment scripts are executed after a solution has been successfully deployed into the target environment. The purpose of these scripts is to finalize the installation by performing tasks that require the solution to already be in place.

Common Tasks Performed by Post-Deployment Scripts

1. Data Configuration and Updates: After a solution is deployed, the data schema may have changed, or new entities may have been added. Post-deployment scripts can populate newly created records with the correct values, update existing records, or migrate data that was missing before the solution was deployed.
2. Re-indexing and Performance Optimization: Large solutions may require re-indexing or optimization of specific records or fields for performance reasons. This can be done via post-deployment scripts to ensure that the solution performs optimally.
3. Enabling Features and Settings: Certain features or settings may need to be enabled after deployment. For instance, if your solution adds a new feature flag or requires a configuration change that depends on the solution being deployed, it can be done with a post-deployment script.
4. Integration Setup: Post-deployment scripts can configure integrations with third-party systems or external services. These integrations may require validation and final configuration after the solution has been successfully deployed.
5. User Notifications: After deployment, you may want to notify users or administrators about the successful installation of the solution or provide them with instructions. Post-deployment scripts can send emails or create tasks in Dynamics 365 to communicate this information.
6. Validation and Testing: Post-deployment scripts can also be used to validate that the solution was deployed correctly and is working as expected. This might include checking that all components are active, ensuring that no records are missing, or verifying that required settings are configured.

Writing Post-Deployment Scripts

Like pre-deployment scripts, post-deployment scripts are written in C# or JavaScript. The key difference is that these scripts typically interact with a fully deployed solution, meaning they must be able to handle the logic associated with a live environment.

Example of a simple post-deployment script:

using Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk;
using Microsoft.Xrm.Tooling.Connector;

namespace PostDeploymentScripts
{
    public class FinalizeDeployment
    {
        public void Execute()
        {
            // Establish connection to Dynamics 365
            IOrganizationService service = new ServiceClient("your_connection_string");

            // Example: Set an option set value based on the environment
            Entity optionSet = new Entity("new_optionset");
            optionSet["new_name"] = "Enabled";
            service.Update(optionSet);
        }
    }
}

This post-deployment script modifies an option set value after the solution has been deployed.

Running Post-Deployment Scripts

Just like pre-deployment scripts, post-deployment scripts can be integrated into deployment pipelines such as those in Azure DevOps, Power Platform Build Tools, or CI/CD pipelines. They can be executed as part of the deployment process, automatically running once the solution is imported into the target environment.

Best Practices for Pre- and Post-Deployment Scripts

1. Error Handling: Ensure that your scripts contain error handling logic. If a pre- or post-deployment script fails, the deployment should be halted, and a clear error message should be displayed.
2. Idempotency: Scripts should be idempotent, meaning that running the script multiple times should not have unintended side effects. This is especially important for post-deployment scripts, where the same operation may be attempted multiple times.
3. Logging: Always include logging in your pre- and post-deployment scripts. This will help you trace errors and track the progress of the deployment.
4. Testing: Test your scripts in a non-production environment before using them in live deployments. This helps ensure that the scripts work as expected and do not cause issues.
5. Environment-Specific Configurations: If your solution needs to be deployed across multiple environments, ensure that your scripts are environment-aware. Use

environment variables or configuration settings to differentiate between development, test, and production environments.

6. Documentation: Always document the purpose and function of your scripts. This is especially important for post-deployment tasks, as they often involve complex business logic and can be difficult to troubleshoot if something goes wrong.