Connect to Dynamics GP Data from Blazor Apps

Blazor is a framework for developing modern, client-side web UIs using .NET technology. Instead of coding in JavaScript, developers can use the familiar C# language and .NET libraries to build app UIs.

The CData ADO.NET Provider for Dynamics GP can be used with standard ADO.NET interfaces, such as LINQ and Entity Framework, to interact with live Dynamics GP data. Since Blazor supports .NET Core, developers can use CData ADO.NET Providers in Blazor apps. In this article, we will guide you to build a simple Blazor app that talks to Dynamics GP using standard SQL queries.

Install the CData ADO.NET Provider for Dynamics GP

CData ADO.NET Providers allow users to access Dynamics GP just like they would access SQL Server, using simple SQL queries.

Install the Dynamics GP ADO.NET Data Provider from the CData website or from NuGet. Search NuGet for "Dynamics GP ADO.NET Data Provider."

Create a Dynamics GP-Connected Blazor App

Start by creating a Blazor project that references the CData ADO.NET Provider for Dynamics GP

1. Create a Blazor project on Visual Studio.
2. From the Solution Explorer, right click Dependencies, then click Add Project Reference.
3. In the Reference Manager, click the Browse button, and choose the .dll file of the installed ADO.NET Provider (e.g. System.Data.CData.DynamicsGP.dll, typically located at C:\Program Files\CData\CData ADO.NET Provider for Dynamics GP\lib etstandard2.0).

SELECT Dynamics GP Data from the Blazor App

1. Open the Index.razor file from the Project page.
2. In a DynamicsGPConnection object, set the connection string:

   To authenticate set the User and Password connection properties.

   To connect set the URL to the Web services endpoint; for example, http://{servername}:{port}/Dynamics/GPService. Additionally, set CompanyId; you can obtain this value in the company setup window: Click Tools -> Setup -> Company.

   By default, data summaries are not returned to save performance. Set LookupIds to true to return details such as line items; however, note that entities must be retrieved one at a time.

   For example: CompanyId=mycompanyId;user=myuser;password=mypassword;URL= http://{servername}:{port}/Dynamics/GPService;

3. The code below creates a simple Blazor app for displaying Dynamics GP data, using standard SQL to query Dynamics GP just like SQL Server.

         @page "/"
         @using System.Data;
         @using System.Data.CData.DynamicsGP;
         
         <h1>Hello, world!</h1>
         
         Welcome to your Data app.
         
         <div class="row">
             <div class="col-12">
         
                 @using (DynamicsGPConnection connection = new DynamicsGPConnection(
                   "CompanyId=mycompanyId;user=myuser;password=mypassword;URL= http://{servername}:{port}/Dynamics/GPService;"))
                 {
                     var sql = "SELECT CustomerName, TotalAmount FROM SalesInvoice";
                     var results = new DataTable();
         
                     DynamicsGPDataAdapter dataAdapter = new DynamicsGPDataAdapter(sql, connection);
                     dataAdapter.Fill(results);
         
                     <table class="table table-bordered">
                         <thead class="thead-light">
                             <tr>
                                 @foreach (DataColumn item in results.Rows[0].Table.Columns)
                                 {
                                     <th scope="col">@item.ColumnName</th>
                                 }
                             </tr>
                         </thead>
                         <tbody>
                             @foreach (DataRow row in results.Rows)
                             {
                                 <tr>
                                     @foreach (var column in row.ItemArray)
                                     {
                                         <td>@column.ToString()</td>
                                     }
                                 </tr>
                             }
                         </tbody>
                     </table>
                 }
             </div>
         </div>
       

4. Rebuild and run the project. The ADO.NET Provider renders Dynamics GP data as an HTML table in the Blazor app.

   At this point, you have a Dynamics GP-connected Blazor app, capable of working with live Dynamics GP data just like you would work with a SQL Server instance. Download a free, 30-day trial and start working with live Dynamics GP data in your Blazor apps today.