Business Central 2023 wave 2 (BC23): Set new output folder setting for storing app files at AL project build (“al.compilerOptions” -> “outFolder” property)

Hi, Readers.
The public preview for Dynamics 365 Business Central 2023 release wave 2 (BC23) is available. Learn more: Link.

I will continue to test and share some new features that I hope will be helpful.

Set new output folder setting for storing app files at AL project build:

Business value:
By default, when you build AL projects, the output app file is stored in the project folder. However, if you work on multiple apps that aren’t in the same workspace and depend on each other, outputting to a shared app folder can be a benefit.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/release-plan/2023wave2/smb/dynamics365-business-central/set-new-output-folder-setting-storing-app-files-at-al-project-build

When you publish the extension from Visual Studio Code, or run AL: Package command the output app file is stored in the project folder.

In the “al.compilerOptions” settings, you can now use the “outFolder” property to specify which output folder to use when generating an app file as part of building an AL project.

“outFolder”
Specifies the folder where the compiler should place the resulting .app file. If not specified, the compiler will place the resulting .app file in the project folder.

Here’s an example of saving built app files in “temp” on the user’s C drive.

This makes it easier to manage and reuse generated apps in a single location. The AL project in Visual Studio Code will still contain a node for the output file, but the file will then physically be stored outside of the project folder.

Great feature. Give it a try!!!😁

PS: External storage is not currently supported.

PS: Business Central 2023 wave 2 (BC23): Set the default folder location for new AL projects (al.algoSuggestedFolder setting)

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Hope this will help.

Thanks for reading.

ZHU