使用GitHub Copilot进行X++开发的实用方法（技巧、窍门、隐藏宝藏及应避免的事项）Practical Ways to Use GitHub Copilot for X++ Development (Tips, Tricks, Hidden Gems & What to Avoid)

Hi Folks, 

In my last post about GitHub Copilot we covered what GitHub Copilot is, how to enable
it, and the licensing options, let’s move into the part everyone actually cares
about — Practical Ways to Use GitHub Copilot for X++ Development

Copilot isn’t magic, but when used well, it feels pretty
close. Below are practical examples, prompt ideas, best practices, and a few
“don’ts” that will save you time and frustration.

1. X++ Boilerplate Generation (Your New Time Saver)

X++ is full of repetitive patterns — table methods, service
classes, form event handlers, data entities, and more. Copilot can generate
60–80% of this instantly.

Try prompts like:

• “Create
  a validateWrite method for this table following best practices.”
• “Generate
  a runnable class that updates sales orders with status ‘Open’.”
• “Create
  a SysOperation framework class with contract, controller, and service.”

You still review and refine — but the heavy lifting is done. (I would still recommend this to do every single time)

2. Documentation & XML Comments (The Most Underrated
Feature)

Copilot is brilliant at generating XML documentation
for methods, classes, and services.

Prompt idea:

• “Add
  XML documentation to this method explaining parameters and return values.”

Why it matters

• Better
  readability
• Faster
  onboarding for new developers
• Cleaner
  code reviews

3. OData & Integration Summaries

When working with integrations, Copilot can help you quickly
draft:

• OData
  endpoint descriptions
• Request/response
  examples
• Error-handling
  notes
• API
  documentation

Prompt idea:

• “Explain
  how this data entity will behave when called via OData.”

This is especially useful when writing technical design
documents.

4. Best Practice Suggestions on Selected Code

This is where Copilot becomes a mini code reviewer.

Highlight a block of X++ code → open Inline Chat (Alt +
/) → ask:

• “Suggest
  best practices for this code.”
• “Is
  there any performance issue here?”
• “Rewrite
  this using recommended patterns.”

Example: Summarize Sales Order

Your example:

public void summarizeSalesOrder(str salesOrderId)

{

    SalesTable
salesTable = SalesTable::find(salesOrderId);

   
info(strFmt(“Sales Order %1 for customer %2 has total amount
%3”,

       
salesTable.SalesId, salesTable.CustAccount, salesTable.TotalAmount));

}

Copilot might suggest:

• Add
  null checks
• Use ttsbegin/ttscommit
  if modifying data
• Avoid
  info() in production code
• Consider
  using SalesTotals class for accurate totals

This is where Copilot shines — it nudges you toward better
patterns.

5. Plugin Development with Copilot Studio

If you’re building Copilot plugins for D365FO,
Copilot can help with:

• API
  schema generation
• JSON
  payload examples
• C#
  wrapper classes
• Error-handling
  templates

This is still evolving, but it’s already a huge productivity
boost.

6. Hidden Gems Most Developers Miss

•       Use #filename to give Copilot context

Example:

#SalesTable Explain how validateWrite works for this table.

• ü 
      Use /intent to guide Copilot

Example:

/refactor Rewrite this method to improve readability.

• ü 
  Keep related files open

Copilot reads open tabs to understand your project
structure.

• ü 
  Use natural language

You don’t need to be formal.
“Make this faster” works surprisingly well.

7. What NOT to Do with Copilot (Important!)

Copilot is powerful, but not perfect. Avoid:

❌ Blindly accepting code

Always review for:

• Security
  issues
• Performance
  problems
• Deprecated
  APIs

❌ Using Copilot for business
logic decisions

Copilot doesn’t know your customer’s requirements.

❌ Expecting Copilot to understand
custom frameworks

It learns from your codebase over time — but not instantly.

❌ Using vague prompts

“Fix this” → not helpful
“Optimize this query to reduce DB calls” → much better

While all this working magically, GitHub Copilot won’t replace your X++ expertise — but it
will absolutely amplify it. So don’t afraid of using it, make this your companion. The more you use it, the better it understands your patterns, naming
conventions, and coding style.

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