The ask, evaluate user-defined functions (UDFs), an experimental feature of canvas apps. Can the client’s existing solutions benefit from UDFs whenever they become generally available (GA)?
The short answer is yes. UDFs would allow app makers to create their own Formulas to be used throughout their respective canvas apps. This becomes helpful because as solutions grow in scope, makers often need to repeat logic in different parts of their apps. Unfortunately, when changes need to be implemented, they’re now tasked with tracking down every instance of that logic and updating the code accordingly. The more instances there are, the more likely they are to miss one:
Though, with UDFs, the makers would simply write their Formulas once, then use them as many times as necessary within the app. Again, this is currently an experimental feature, but when GA, any custom formulas written here become globally available throughout the app:
- Snippet on GitHub.
Additionally, with their UDFs, makers can create custom Formulas to accept parameters as with the Microsoft-provided formulas. And as a bonus, changes to the UDFs are immediately pushed to all instances within the app:
Conclusion:
Ultimately, the client will benefit greatly from user-defined functions (UDFs). Centralizing their functions ensures repeated app logic is properly maintained and easier to support going forward.
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