With the release of AL Language v17.0, agents will have access to a fresh set of development tools that make everyday workflows smoother, faster, and more automated. If you’ve ever felt like you’re repeating the same manual steps over and over, this update is for you.

These tools are still experimental, but they already cover a wide range of scenarios – from building projects to debugging, packaging, and publishing. Let’s break down what’s new and why it matters.

Table of contents

Build & Package Tools

  • al_build – Build the current AL project. Perfect for quick validation before committing changes.
  • al_buildall – Build all projects in the workspace, including dependencies. Great when working in larger solutions with multiple apps.
  • al_package – Package the AL project into a deployable .app file.
  • al_full_package – Create a package including the full dependency tree. Ideal for distributing extensions with complex dependencies.

Use case: If you’re managing multiple extensions in a workspace, al_buildall ensures you don’t miss a dependency. Combine it with al_full_package to deliver a complete, ready-to-install package.

Symbols & Dependencies

  • al_download_symbols – Download symbols for the current project.
  • al_get_package_dependencies – Retrieve app dependencies.
  • al_download_source – Download source code for the current AL project.

Debugging & Snapshot Sessions

  • al_incremental_publish – Rapid publish with debugging enabled.
  • al_debug_without_publish – Start a debug session without publishing.
  • al_initalize_snapshot_debugging / al_finish_snapshot_debugging – Manage snapshot debugging sessions.
  • al_generate_cpu_profile_file – Generate CPU profile files for performance analysis.

Use case: If you’re troubleshooting performance issues, snapshot debugging combined with CPU profiling gives you a clear picture of what’s happening under the hood.

Design & Events

  • al_insert_event – Insert an AL event subscriber or publisher.
  • al_open_Event_Recorder – Open the Event Recorder UI.
  • al_open_Page_Designer – Open the Page Designer.

Use case: Need to quickly hook into a business event? al_insert_event saves time by scaffolding the subscriber. And with Page Designer, you can visually tweak layouts without hunting through code.

Credentials & Permissions

  • al_clear_credentials_cache – Clear cached authentication credentials.
  • al_clear_profile_codelenses – Clear profile code lenses in the workspace.
  • al_generate_permissionset_for_extension_objects – Generate a permission set AL object.
  • al_generate_permissionset_for_extension_objects_as_xml – Generate a permission set XML file.

Use case: Security and compliance are always top of mind. These tools help you quickly generate permission sets and reset credentials when switching environments.

Publishing & Deployment

  • al_publish – Publish the built package to the target environment.
  • al_publish_without_debug – Publish without starting a debug session.
  • al_publish_existing_extension – Publish an already packaged extension.
  • al_snapshots – Open the snapshots view.

Use case: If you’ve already built and packaged your extension, al_publish_existing_extension lets you deploy without rebuilding. Snapshots are handy for tracking changes across environments.

Search & Initialization

  • al_go – Initialize a new AL project (AL: Go!).
  • al_new_project – Create a new AL project.
  • al_symbolsearch – Search for AL symbols in the workspace and dependencies.

Use case: Starting fresh? al_go and al_new_project give you a clean slate in seconds. And with al_symbolsearch, you can quickly locate objects across projects.

Why This Matters

These tools aren’t just about saving clicks, they’re about automation, consistency, and speed. Whether you’re building complex multi-app solutions, debugging performance bottlenecks, or managing permissions, AL Language v17.0 gives agents more control and flexibility.

Yes, they’re experimental, but that’s part of the fun. Try them out, see where they fit into your workflow, and don’t be afraid to automate the repetitive stuff.

Categorized in:

Development