Dynamics 365 Developer Training FinOps October 2025

When it comes to X++ Dynamics 365 Developer training for Finance and Operations this where Dynamics Edge Microsoft MB-500 course offerings can really help you get the Live Virtual Instructor Led training (ILT) edge on the surface self study because of how Dynamics Edge materials go beyond the resources provided by Microsoft offering real industry value added experience when it comes to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations for Apps Development using the X++ language for D365 FinOps.

Microsoft MB-500 means Microsoft Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Developer exam and training curriculum. This certification focuses on developing and extending Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (formerly Dynamics AX) solutions. The exam covers key skills like writing business logic in X++, creating reports and workspaces, customizing the UI, building integrations (e.g. Power Platform), and implementing security and performance optimizations. Microsoft provides free self-paced learning paths on Microsoft Learn to prepare for MB-500, introducing these required skills through online modules. These official learning paths guide students through planning solution architecture, using developer tools, designing AOT (Application Object Tree) elements, writing and testing X++ code, building reports, integrating data, and more. By following the free Microsoft Learn content and hands-on exercises, an aspiring Dynamics 365 developer can self-study the MB-500 topics without third-party courses. Completing the MB-500 training and passing the exam earns you the Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Developer Associate certification, validating your expertise in Finance & Operations development. To go beyond free content and advance into Dynamics 365 finops developer training September 2025 and October 2025 with Dynamics Edge you may want to check out Microsoft MB-500 with Dynamics Edge for more information and details on that to get the edge over the  surafce self study.

Understanding X++ vs. x++ (Increment Operator vs Language Name)

It’s important to distinguish “X++” (capital X) from the notation “x++” (lowercase x with ++). X++ (with a capital X) is the name of the programming language used in Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (and previously in Dynamics AX). In contrast, x++ (lowercase) is a common syntax for the post-increment operator in many programming languages. For example, in C#, Java, and even X++ code in dynamics 365 developer training october 2025 writing your x++ means “return the current value of x, then increment x by 1,” whereas ++x (pre-increment) means “increment x first, then return the new value”. This difference is standard across C-style languages: ++x increases the variable before evaluation, and x++ increases it after using its value. In the context of the X++ language, the syntax includes both pre- and post-increment operators as well. If you use them in an expression, they behave similarly to C# or Java. (Notably, if used in isolation as separate statements, both i++ and ++i will simply add 1 to i – the end result in the variable is the same, although the order matters when they’re part of a larger expression.) In summary, X++ (the language) is not related to “x++” the mathematical operation beyond the fact that dynamics 365 developer training september 2025 X++ language information supports that operator so the name “X++” for the language signifies a real evolution of earlier languages (sort of similar to C++), and one could think of it as kind of akin to “AX’s programming language,” not as an increment operation.

X++ in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations

X++ is the primary programming language for Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations apps (Finance, Supply Chain Management, Commerce, etc.). Programming language x++ dynamics 365 developer training can help you learn how it originated from Dynamics AX and is a modern, object-oriented language tailored for enterprise ERP development. X++ is “application-aware” and “data-aware,” meaning it integrates closely with the ERP’s tables, classes, and business objects. In practice, as you can find from Dynamics Edge x++ dynamics 365 development training your x++ syntax and semantics are similar to languages like C# and for more info check out our x++ dynamics 365 language info for how it supports classes, inheritance, loops, conditionals, and so on. In fact, since the move to the cloud-based Dynamics 365, X++ code is compiled to .NET Common Intermediate Language (CIL), just like C# code. This allows X++ to interoperate with other .NET assemblies and libraries. Finance & Operations developers write X++ code using Microsoft Visual Studio as the development environment (with special Dynamics 365 extensions). The code is organized into elements in the AOT (Application Object Tree) such as classes, forms, tables, and enums, which correspond to parts of the application. It’s important to note that X++ is only used in the Finance and Operations side of Dynamics 365. Other Dynamics 365 products (like Customer Engagement or Business Central) use different development technologies, which we’ll clarify below. If you encounter “Dynamics 365 developer” roles, those focused on Finance & Operations are the ones working with the X++ language. In summary, X++ is the specialized language that Finance/Operations apps use for server-side logic and customization, carrying forward the heritage of Dynamics AX’s programming model into the cloud.

Learning X++ Development (Free Microsoft Docs and Tools)

For those new to X++ and Finance & Operations development, Microsoft’s documentation and Microsoft Learn platform are the best dynamics 365 finance and operations training starting points while the official X++ language reference on Microsoft Docs can provide you pretty thorough guidance on syntax, data types, classes, and framework usage. Because X++ is akin to C# in many ways, developers with an object-oriented programming background will find it familiar. Microsoft Learn offers step-by-step learning paths that include interactive modules and exercises – for example, modules on X++ syntax, writing classes, performing CRUD operations on data sources, and extending base functionality. These are the same modules aligned with the MB-500 exam preparation and are available free of charge. While a typical learning path might start with environment setup (provisioning a FinOps development environment in the cloud or on-premises VM), then moving into hands-on tutorials like creating a new table or form, Dynamics Edge Dynamics 365 finance and operations developer training virtual instructor led can help you go beyond the surface when writing a simple business logic class in X++, and extending an existing form via an extension. Learners are also introduced to important tools like the Visual Studio debugger, SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) for report development, and the Lifecycle Services (LCS) for application lifecycle management – all integral to Finance & Operations development. Since the question emphasizes free self-study, it’s worth noting that you can sign up for a Dynamics 365 FinOps trial or obtain a developer VM (if available) to practice deploying the code you write. Additionally, the Dynamics community forums and Microsoft’s own tech community have discussions and blog posts that can supplement learning with real-world tips. By combining the Microsoft Docs (for reference) with the guided exercises on Microsoft Learn, an individual can build a solid foundation in X++ development without any third-party courses. This knowledge enables you to customize FinOps applications – for example, adding new fields to forms, writing X++ classes to enforce custom business rules, or integrating with external systems via AIF/OData services.

Dynamics 365 Development: Finance & Operations vs. Customer Engagement vs. Business Central

Dynamics 365 is a suite of business applications, and “developer training” varies depending on which application/platform you target. The three main tracks are Finance & Operations (enterprise ERP), Customer Engagement (CRM and related apps), and Business Central (SMB ERP). Each uses a different technology stack for customization:

• Finance & Operations (FinOps – formerly AX) – Uses the X++ language and its associated frameworks. FinOps development is done in Visual Studio with X++ code, focusing on extending the ERP’s server-side logic, forms, and reports. X++ was inherited from Dynamics AX and is optimized for ERP processes (inventory, financials, etc.). Because X++ now runs on the .NET platform, FinOps developers can also incorporate C# or .NET libraries when needed, but the core business logic and data access are written in X++. FinOps development also involves working with the data model (tables, data entities) and business workflow in the ERP. In summary, if you are working on Dynamics 365 Finance, Supply Chain, Commerce or related modules, you will primarily code in X++ within the FinOps development environment.
• Customer Engagement (CRM apps) – Uses a combination of configuration and C# code for extensions. The Customer Engagement side of Dynamics 365 (which includes apps like Sales, Customer Service, Marketing, Field Service, etc.) was historically the Dynamics CRM platform. Much of the customization can be done with out-of-the-box tools (workflows, Power Automate, business rules, form customization through the UI). When custom code is required, developers typically write plug-ins and custom workflow activities in C# (.NET). A plug-in is a compiled .NET class that hooks into CRM events to execute custom business logic on the server. These C# plugins run in the context of the Dataverse (the underlying data platform for CRM) and are registered via the Plug-in Registration Tool. On the client side, CRM forms can be enhanced using JavaScript/TypeScript (for form validations or UI behaviors). The web client and model-driven apps use HTML/ASP.NET and JS for front-end, but as a developer your primary code contributions are writing server-side C# plug-ins or client-side scripts. Microsoft’s training for this area often falls under Power Platform and Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement developer guidance, and there are certifications like PL-400 (Power Platform Developer Training October 2025) which cover these skills. In short, a Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement developer should be proficient in C# (to write plugin assemblies) and familiar with the Power Platform customization tools, rather than X++ (X++ is not used on the CRM side).
• Business Central (SMB ERP) – Uses the AL language for extensions. Dynamics 365 Business Central is the cloud evolution of Dynamics NAV (Navision). In older NAV, customizations were done in C/AL using the C/SIDE development environment. Today, Business Central exclusively uses AL (Application Language), a modern programming language that replaced C/AL starting with the 2019 release wave 2 of Business Central. AL syntax is similar to Pascal/C/AL and it is developed using Visual Studio Code with an AL extension. Business Central developers create extensions (packages of AL code) to add or modify business logic, pages (UI), reports, and integrations. Microsoft has moved Business Central to an “extensions-only” model – meaning you no longer modify the base application directly, but write AL extensions that the platform layers on top of standard functionality. Key points: AL code is event-driven (you subscribe to events or write triggers that run when certain actions happen in the system), and it’s tailored for accounting and operations processes in SMBs. The AL language and development experience is quite different from X++, and Business Central’s architecture is separate from Finance & Operations (even though both are ERPs). Note that Business Central development does not use X++ at all. Microsoft’s free learning materials for Business Central focus on AL programming (for example, modules on creating tables, pages, and business logic in AL). To avoid confusion, remember that C/SIDE and C/AL were the old tools for NAV/BC up to version 14, and they have been fully deprecated – all new Business Central development is in AL with VS Code.
• Legacy Dynamics GP and SL – These are legacy ERP products (Great Plains and Solomon) that are not part of the Dynamics 365 cloud suite, but it’s worth mentioning their technologies for completeness. Dynamics GP uses a proprietary development environment and language called Dexterity (with a scripting language named sanScript). In fact, Dynamics GP (Great Plains) itself was written in Dexterity, and developers customizing GP use Dexterity or sometimes .NET interoperability. Dynamics SL (Solomon) was built largely on a Microsoft tech stack using VB (Visual Basic) and .NET for its customization (often referred to as Solomon’s Basic Script or the SL SDK which is .NET-based). These two products still exist on-premises, but Microsoft is no longer actively developing new features for them – support is winding down (for example, an end-of-life for GP has been announced). Microsoft’s strategic direction for SMB customers is to move them onto Business Central in the future. Therefore, if you are looking at Dynamics career paths, GP and SL skillsets are niche and mostly useful for maintaining legacy systems. New development efforts in the SMB ERP space should focus on Business Central’s AL. In summary, GP uses Dexterity, SL uses a VB/.NET hybrid, and neither uses X++ or AL. They are being phased out in favor of Business Central.

X++ Developer Certification and Career Outlook

Becoming an X++ developer (Finance and Operations developer) can lead to a specialized and rewarding career path. Professionals in this area often hold titles like Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations Developer, AX Developer, or Technical Consultant (Dynamics 365 F&O). Earning the MB-500 certification solidifies one’s credentials in this field. In fact, passing MB-500 (typically along with the core exam MB-300) grants the Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Developer Associate certification, which demonstrates to employers that you have proven skills in implementing and extending the F&O apps. According to Microsoft’s description, a certified F&O developer is proficient in tasks such as “developing business logic by using X++, creating and modifying reports/workspaces, customizing the user interface, providing APIs and integrations, performing testing, and monitoring performance”. These are exactly the skills organizations implementing Dynamics 365 Finance/Supply Chain are looking for.

Career prospects for X++ developers are strong, as Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations is used by large enterprises and requires significant tailoring to fit business processes. Since X++ is a niche language (used only in the Dynamics AX/F&O world), there is a limited talent pool – which means skilled X++ developers are in demand (often commanding competitive salaries). Employers such as Microsoft partner companies (consulting firms that implement Dynamics ERP for clients) regularly seek X++/F&O developers to build customizations and integrations. End-user organizations (large companies running Dynamics 365 Finance or SCM) also hire developers or technical consultants to maintain and extend their ERP internally. The MB-500 certification can help your resume stand out, as it signals you have been formally assessed on relevant skills. It demonstrates value by assuring employers you can follow best practices and understand the standard Finance & Operations extension patterns (which is critical to avoid over-customization issues). Moreover, being certified often connects you to Microsoft’s continuing education – e.g. you must take annual renewal assessments on new features, which keeps your knowledge up-to-date. In roles obtained, an X++ developer might work on things like designing custom modules in X++, writing workflows for approvals, integrating FinOps with external systems (using tools like Data Entities, OData, or Azure services), and optimizing performance of the application. Over time, many X++ developers also expand into architecture or consulting roles, since understanding the ERP’s technical side positions you to make broader solution design decisions.

In summary, yes, MB-500 leads to a recognized certification and it can significantly boost your employability in the Dynamics 365 ecosystem. It confirms your expertise with X++ and F&O development. With this certification and practical experience, you can pursue job roles such as Dynamics 365 F&O Developer, Solution Architect (ERP), or Senior Technical Consultant. Companies value these skills because a certified developer can help them tailor the Dynamics 365 system precisely to their business needs, which in turn can lead to more efficient operations. As Dynamics 365 continues to be adopted globally, the career outlook for X++ developers remains positive – especially as other legacy ERPs (like GP or older AX installations) are migrated to Finance & Operations, fueling demand for professionals who can carry out those complex projects.