This document compares PowerApps component framework (PCF) and Canvas apps in Microsoft Business Applications using Marvel superhero analogies. PCF is likened to Iron Man as it requires complex engineering and skills to build, while Canvas apps are likened to Hawkeye for their simplicity and ease of use. Their strengths, target audiences, and features are contrasted. The document concludes by demonstrating PCF and Canvas apps and stating that both have value for application development.

1. Hawkeye vs Iron Man:
Comparing Canvas Apps and
PCF in MBAU
Natraj Yegnaraman (MVP)
Ee Lane Yu
Solution Architect | Dynamics 365 & PowerApps | Barhead
Lead Consultant | Dynamics 365 & PowerApps | Barhead

2. Non-MCU Audience
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYWmDag3ruM

3. Why is PCF Iron Man?
Iron Man
 Complex engineering to build
 Attention, ingenuity and skills
required to fly it
PCF
 Complex for traditional Dynamics
365 devs - Built of top of nodejs and
TypeScript
 Need to focus and learn, in lot of
areas – CPDD leads to insanity
I am Iron Man. The suit and I are one – Tony Stark

4. Strengths
Iron Man
 Ammo
 Jarvis
 Composites
 Modular assembly
 Tony Stark
PowerApps component Framework
 TypeScript
 PowerApps CLI - Templating
 Build once, use in both Unified
Interface and Canvas Apps*
 Node + React + Office Fabric UI ❤
 MSFT already uses PCF in OOB
controls

5. Why is Canvas Apps Hawkeye?
Hawkeye
 Simplicity - Aim and shoot
 Bows and arrows
 One of the founding members of
Avengers
Canvas Apps
 Drag and drop
 make.powerapps.com is all you need
• Project Siena – The precursor to
PowerApps canvas apps was
released in 2014

6. Strengths
Hawkeye
 Agility
 Trick arrows
 Limited skills – extremely good in
those skills
Canvas Apps
 Rapid development using drag-drop
 Connectors + Flow
 WYSIWYG designer tool – learn & adopt
 Extremely active community in multiple
channels

7. PCF vs Canvas Apps
TARGET AUDIENCE
Pro Developer – closer to the metal.
Requires knowledge of TypeScript, Node, JavaScript
and Webpack.
Citizen Developer – Low code/No Code approach
to app building
PURPOSE
Build reusable components, that can be used both
in model driven apps and canvas apps*
Rapidly build apps to bridge system functionality
gap and solve business problems

8. PCF vs Canvas Apps
STRONGEST FEATURE
Complete control over how data can be
represented or utilised in the form or view
Drag and drop+formula approach to app building
WEAKNESSES
No support for unbounded controls yet
Only 1 embedded canvas app can be added to the
form
Minimal debugging support – limited error detail
As the name suggests, a component is
always embedded within an app. So, PCF cannot be
used to build standalone apps

9. Feature Matrix
Feature PCF Canvas Apps
Can be packaged up into solutions ✅ ✅
Components support ✅ ✅
Standalone apps ❌ ✅
DataSet binding vs Field binding ✅ ❌
Component only ✅ ❌
Versioning (rollback) ❌ ✅
Licensing ✅ 🤔

10. Demo
Spoiler : There is no Hawkeye without Iron Man
 Design tools for PCF and Canvas App
 Using PCF and Canvas Apps to display a list of records in Dynamics CE
 Using PCF to render a field

11. Let the Battle Begin!!!

12. Let the Battle Begin!!!
SO.........WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?
Answer: It does not matter

13. Learn more..
• Components Gallery
• https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Components-Gallery/bd-
p/ComponentsGallery
• PCF
• https://pcf.gallery
• TDG
• https://dynamics365society.uk/

14. Image Credits
• http://pngimg.com/download/29659
• https://characterprofile.fandom.com/wiki/Hawkeye

15. Thank you