Top 3 mistakes

Following are the top 3 mistakes made when customizing:

1. Writing code to "work around" the Web product's architecture. For example:

   • filling up JSP or ASP.NET files with complex Java or .NET code  

   • filling up HTML pages with JavaScript to provide a quick and easy fix to fulfill a requirement.

     JavaScript customizations are not backward compatible. It is recommended that JavaScript files provided by MicroStrategy should not be modified for customization purposes.  

2. Writing code that duplicates existing MicroStrategy functionality.  

3. Starting from scratch, when the Web product's framework meets your needs. For example:  

   • not learning in-depth what the product offers before deciding to build functionality from scratch  

   • assuming you're too experienced to benefit from a MicroStrategy Education class on how to use the architecture  

Making these mistakes not only costs you time and money while you are making them; once they are implemented they slow system performance and make the system harder to maintain and upgrade. See the Best practices fundamentals for complete guidance on how to minimize the impact of upgrades, and read how best to apply customization changes.