Reference manual

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# Name Description
1 Open workspace file

Opens a workspace based on Visual Studio Code .code-workspace file.

Once the file has been selected, the Loading window opens.

2 Open from BC

Opens a solution from a running Business Central service.

Once the file has been selected, the Loading window opens.

3 Open folder

The simplest usage of Open folder is to open a Visual Studio Code project folder, i.e. a file system folder containing an app.json file and (usually) also .al files.

Prism for AL can also open a folder that has sub folders (recursively) that are Visual Studio Code projects such as this:
├───app-A
│   │   app.json
│   │   DoThis.Codeunit.al
│   │
│   └───.alpackages
└───app-B
│   app.json
│   DoThat.Codeunit.al
│
└───.alpackages
This works similar to opening a workspace file.

Another option is to open a folder which contains packages (.app files) and no app.json files at all (recursively). This will create an in-memory artificial module with dependencies for all distinct packages in the workspace. This can be used to browse on-prem installation media (select the Applications folder).

Once the file has been selected, the Loading window opens.

4 Open package

Opens a package file (*.app).

This will create an in-memory artificial module with a dependency to the single package. Package dependencies are not included; to achieve that, use Open folder instead.

Once the file has been selected, the Loading window opens.

5 Full graph

Determines whether a Full graph or a more compact Procedural flow graph is loaded.

6 Auto-build graph

Determines whether a Code graph is automatically generated when a workspace has been opened.

7 Memcache

When this settings is enabled (default), then Prism for AL will snapshot the source files found in workspace folders (but not source code found in .app files) during loading.

This insulates the viewing experience from file changes by an external editor like Visual Studio Code. However, it also increases memory usage. You can monitor usage in the Workspace window.

Notice that this setting affects opening of new workspaces as well as opening of Recent workspaces. The setting does not survive restart of Prism.

8 Package resolution options
The following settings control how packages are resolved during workspace loading:
  • Search Depth: This setting determines determines how deep package resolution will go into dependencies. See Search depth values table below for available options. Set the default value in the Settings page.
  • Search Package Cache: If enabled, and a module cannot be found in a package file in the workspace then Prism will look in the package cache directory as well. Caution: this may produce unexpected results as the package version may be much older or newer than the expected workspace package.

Notice that these settings affect opening of new workspaces as well as opening of Recent workspaces. The settings do not survive restart of Prism.

9 Recent workspaces This is a lists of workspaces you have opened recently sorted in reverse chronological order. Click a recent workspace or use shortcuts Ctrl + 1, Ctrl + 2 etc (counting from the top) to open open the workspace. If the workspace is already open, focus shifts to the workspace window. Recent items offer a context menu, see below.
10 License

The license part shows the current license (if any is installed) and it's status. The tooltip on the status gives additional information, e.g. expiration date when the license is valid.

Without a license, Prism for AL is feature-limited. Subscribe or Get a trial license to enable all features.

Click the Activate new license button to open the License key window.

11 The features part shows a summary of your usages of main Prism for AL features. The percentage complete indicates the percentage of Prism for AL's main features that you have used. Click the features button in the main window to navigate to the Features page.
12 Status Watch this for status messages like availability of new releases of Prism for AL. Click the status to open your default browser on the download page for Prism for AL.
Mnemonic Description Pictograph
W Workspace:
Workspace modules (app.json), only. No packages are included.
Prism for AL: Resolve workspace only
W→P Workspace and direct dependencies:
Workspace modules (app.json) as well as direct package dependencies (*.app)
Prism for AL: Resolve workspace and direct dependencies
W→PP Workspace and direct/propagated dependencies:
Workspace modules (app.json) as well as direct package dependencies (*.app) and their propagated dependencies.
Prism for AL: Resolve workspace, direct dependencies and propagated dependencies
W→P→* Workspace and transitive dependencies:
Workspace modules (app.json) and all dependencies transitively (recursively)." Notice that this setting may lead to unexpected results as old, now unused packages in Visual Studio Code .alpackages folders may be included.
Prism for AL: Resolve all dependencies transitively