Context extension is the ability to add fields to the form of a locked app imported with a solution.
The function is configured in several stages: first by the developer when creating the solution, and then by the system administrator who imports the solution into their company. Let’s take a look at these stages:
- When creating a solution, the developer determines in which apps the ability to extend the context will be available after importing the solution. In the app settings, the developer performs the following actions:
- Activates the context extension option.
- Places a widget on the app forms that will display properties from the extended context.
Read more about it in the Set up context extension article.
- The ready-made solution with the context extension option enabled is imported into the target company.
- The ready-made solution with the context extension option enabled is imported into the target company. After importing the solution, the context extension function is available in those apps where it was enabled by the solution developer. The target company’s system administrator can:
- Create properties in the app context extension.
- Add the created properties to app forms, as well as create widgets with these properties.
Read more about it in the Add fields to the context extension article.
By incorporating the ability to extend the context into the solution, developers allow administrators to add new fields after importing them into the company and customize the app to meet their unique needs. In this way, the administrator can independently extend the functionality of the apps without waiting for updates from the developer.
At the same time, the risks of problems when releasing new versions of the solution for both parties are minimized. Adding custom properties does not affect the system fields of the app and provides a soft update without causing conflicts between the installed and new versions of the solution.
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