• Dynamics Business Central (NAV)

  MB-820 Exam Cram: Install & Upgrade Codeunits in Business Central!

  Posted by Silviu Virlan on January 11, 2026 at 10:41 am

  This focused, practical booklet is now available on Leanpub:
  Get your copy here → https://leanpub.com/mb-820InstallUpgrade

  Why this book exists

  If you’re preparing for the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Developer (MB-820) certification, you know that Install and Upgrade Codeunits are a key exam topic (part of the “Develop codeunits” skill area). They also happen to be one of the most important — and sometimes tricky — concepts when building real-world, production-ready extensions for AppSource or customer projects.

  Many junior and mid-level developers struggle with:

  • Understanding exactly when each codeunit runs (and when it doesn’t!)
  • Mastering the Upgrade Tags pattern that Microsoft uses in the Base Application
  • Making upgrades idempotent, safe, and performant
  • Handling advanced patterns like DataTransfer, ModuleInfo, ExecutionContext, and proper debugging during upgrades

  This book dives deep into these topics with clear explanations, real-world code examples inspired by Microsoft’s own Base Application (like patterns from E-Document, VAT Group, and No. Series modules), practical scenarios, and MB-820-style practice questions.<div>

  Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll find inside:

  • Introduction to extension lifecycle and why install/upgrade codeunits matter
  • Install Codeunits — triggers, per-company vs. per-database, fresh install vs. reinstall
  • Upgrade Codeunits — preconditions, main upgrade logic, validation, and best practices
  • Upgrade Tags Deep Dive — the three-codeunit pattern, tag naming conventions, and how to avoid common pitfalls
  • Advanced Topics — DataTransfer for efficient data migration, version detection, execution context protection
  • Common Scenarios & Solutions — real-life migration examples, troubleshooting tips
  • MB-820 Exam Tips — focused prep advice, key gotchas, and practice questions

  The book builds directly on my popular “Let’s pass MB-820” YouTube series (starting with Episode 1 on this exact topic) and brings everything together in a concise, exam-oriented cram format.Who is this for?

  • Junior to intermediate AL developers preparing for MB-820
  • Consultants and partners building reliable, upgradable extensions
  • Anyone who wants to replicate Microsoft’s proven upgrade patterns in their own apps

  Leanpub perks

  • DRM-free — Download in PDF, EPUB, and WEB formats
  • Free lifetime updates — As I add more content or refine explanations, you’ll get them automatically
  • Reader-powered pricing — Minimum $8.00 (suggested $10.00) — you choose what feels right
  • 60-day 100% happiness guarantee — Full refund if it’s not what you expected

  Whether you’re gearing up for the certification in 2026 or just want to level up your extension development skills, this book will give you the confidence to handle install and upgrade logic like a pro.</div><div>

  Thank you to everyone who’s followed the YouTube series, read the blog posts on svirlan.com, and supported the journey so far — your feedback and encouragement made this possible!

  Grab your copy today and let’s crush that MB-820 exam together!

  Buy now on Leanpub

  Happy coding,

  Silviu Virlan
  Microsoft MVP for Business Applications | MCP
  Business Central Musings – YouTube & Blog</div>

  Silviu Virlan replied 5 days, 18 hours ago 1 Member · 0 Replies
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