Glossary
This glossary defines terms used throughout the APD documentation.
A
Action
A named unit of functionality in APD that represents a single page, API endpoint, or operation. Actions can be of various types (HTML, Script, Data, etc.) and are identified by a unique Action Code.
Action Code
A unique identifier for an action, used in URLs and references. Example: HOME, CUSTOMER-LIST, API-ORDERS.
AJAX
Asynchronous JavaScript and XML. A technique for making HTTP requests from JavaScript without reloading the page. APD provides AJAX functions like APD_Find and APD_Modify.
AL
Application Language. The programming language used to develop Business Central extensions. APD Script actions allow writing AL-like code directly in the portal.
APD
Advanced Portal Designer. A Business Central extension for creating web portals.
Authentication
The process of verifying a user's identity, typically through username and password.
Authorization
The process of determining what an authenticated user is allowed to access.
B
Blob
Binary Large Object. A data type used to store files like images, documents, or PDFs. APD supports Blob actions for serving binary content.
Business Central (BC)
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. The ERP system that APD extends to provide web portal capabilities.
C
Callback
A JavaScript function that is called when an asynchronous operation completes. Used with APD AJAX functions.
Codeunit
A BC object containing AL code procedures. Codeunit actions allow calling BC codeunits from the portal.
Compilation
The process of converting a template into an optimized form for execution. Actions must be compiled after changes.
Content
Reusable text or HTML stored in the Content table, referenced by a unique code. Included in templates with <?content(code)?>. For including other templates, see Parse.
Cookie
A small piece of data stored by the browser, used for session management in APD.
D
Data Action
An action type that returns JSON data, used for building REST APIs.
Data Source
A table opened with <?open(tablename)?> that provides data for the template.
E
Endpoint
A URL that accepts requests. Each APD action creates an endpoint.
Entity
A record in Business Central such as a Customer, Vendor, or Contact that can be linked to a portal user.
Entra ID
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory). An identity service that can be used for portal authentication.
F
Field
A column in a BC table. Displayed in templates with <?field(Table,FieldName)?>.
Filter
A condition that limits which records are returned from a table. Applied with <?filter(Table,Field,FilterExpression)?> — 3 parameters; operators like <>, >, <, ` |
, ..` and wildcards go inside the value string (BC filter syntax). |
|---|
Filter Group
A logical grouping of filters. APD security filters use Filter Group 6.
H
HTML
HyperText Markup Language. The standard markup language for web pages.
HTML Action
An action type that returns HTML content based on a template.
I
Invitation
A mechanism for controlled user self-registration in APD. See the Invitations page.
J
JavaScript
A programming language executed in web browsers. APD provides a helper library (served from Business Central via the apdscript action — included in templates with <script src="<?action('apdscript')?>"></script>) with functions for AJAX form validation, record navigation, lookups, and session storage.
JSON
JavaScript Object Notation. A data format used for API responses and configuration.
L
Login Action
An action marked to handle user authentication.
Loop
A template construct that repeats content for each record: <?loop(Table,'-')?>...<?endloop(Table)?>. The <?loop?> direction parameter is a single-quoted string — '-' first record, '+' last, '*' random. The <?endloop?> must include the matching table name (the engine errors with "Table 0 not open" without it). Pagination parameters (step and page size) are optional extra arguments: <?endloop(Table,Step,PageSize)?>.
M
Markdown
A lightweight markup language for formatting text. APD supports Markdown content.
N
Navision
The former name of Business Central. In APD, "Navision Type" and "Navision Identification" refer to BC entity mapping.
Navision Identification
The BC entity number (Customer No., Vendor No., etc.) linked to a portal user.
Navision Type
The type of BC entity (Customer, Vendor, Contact, etc.) linked to a portal user.
O
Open Tag
<?open(tablename)?> - Opens a table as a data source.
P
Parameter
A value passed in the URL query string, accessed with <?parm(name)?>.
Parse
A template tag (<?parse(TemplateName)?>) that includes another template inline at compile time. APD does not provide a separate <?include?> tag — use <?parse?> for template composition.
Password Hash
An encrypted form of a password that cannot be reversed. APD stores password hashes, not plain passwords.
Placeholder
A value placeholder in security filters like %1 (User ID), %2 (Company), %3 (Session ID), %4 (NAV Identification).
Profile
See Security Profile.
R
Record
A single row in a BC table.
RecordRef
A BC data type that provides dynamic access to any table.
Report Action
An action type that runs a BC report and returns the output.
REST API
Representational State Transfer API. A web service architecture. APD Data actions create REST endpoints.
S
Script Action
An action type that executes AL code written directly in APD.
Security Filter
A rule that limits which records a user can see based on their profile and identity.
Security Profile
A named group that defines access levels. Assigned to users and referenced by actions.
Session
A server-side record of a user's authenticated state and activity.
Session ID
A unique identifier for a user's session, passed via cookie or URL.
SSO
Single Sign-On. Allows users to authenticate once and access multiple systems.
T
Table
A BC database object containing records. Tables are opened in templates with <?open()?>.
Table Permissions
Security Setup entries that control AJAX operations on tables.
Tag
An APD template instruction enclosed in <? and ?>. Example: <?field(Customer,Name)?>. Tags cannot be nested inside other tags' parameter lists — use expression functions like Parm('name'), field(Table,Field), no(), today() instead.
Template
HTML content with APD tags that is compiled and executed to produce output.
Token
A security credential used in authentication flows, especially with external providers.
U
User
A portal user stored in the APD User table, separate from BC users.
User Type
See Navision Type.
V
Validate
To check if a value is valid for a field. The APD_validate function performs BC field validation.
W
Web Service
A service accessed over HTTP. APD creates web services for portal access.
WSFN
Web Service Function. The core APD engine component that processes requests.
WSFN URL
The URL endpoint for APD web services.