The Salesforce App Builder (DEV 401) Training provides a comprehensive foundation for developing custom applications on the Salesforce platform. Participants will learn to design and implement business logic using Apex, create custom user interfaces with Visualforce, and automate processes using tools like Process Builder and Flow. The course also covers data modeling, security, and deployment, equipping learners with the skills to build scalable, efficient applications in Salesforce.
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL QUESTIONS
1. What is the difference between a trigger and a process builder in Salesforce?
A trigger is a piece of code that executes before or after a record is inserted, updated, deleted, or undeleted in Salesforce. It provides more flexibility, allowing for complex logic. Process Builder, on the other hand, is a point-and-click tool for automating business processes. It is easier to use and does not require code, but it is less flexible than triggers when dealing with complex scenarios.
2. How do you handle governor limits in Salesforce?
Governor limits are Salesforce's way of ensuring that no single user or process consumes excessive resources. To handle them, you can use techniques like bulkification (processing multiple records in a single transaction), using collections (lists, sets, maps) instead of individual DML operations, and ensuring that queries and loops are optimized to avoid excessive resource consumption.
3. What is the difference between a workflow rule and a process builder in Salesforce?
A workflow rule is an automated action that triggers based on specific criteria, allowing you to perform tasks like sending emails, updating fields, or creating tasks. Process Builder is a more advanced tool that allows you to automate complex business processes with a point-and-click interface. Unlike workflow rules, process builder can create records, update related records, and invoke other processes.
4. What is a custom object in Salesforce, and why would you use it?
A custom object in Salesforce is a user-defined object that stores data specific to an organization's business needs. It allows you to extend Salesforce's standard data model. You would use custom objects when the standard objects do not meet your business requirements, enabling you to track and manage data that is unique to your processes.
5. Can you explain the difference between a page layout and a record type in Salesforce?
A page layout controls the appearance of a record in Salesforce, including which fields, buttons, and related lists are displayed. A record type, on the other hand, allows you to create different business processes for the same object. It determines which picklist values are available, which page layout to use, and which processes should be followed.
6. What is a formula field in Salesforce?
A formula field in Salesforce is a field that derives its value from an expression or formula. It can calculate values based on other fields, operators, and functions in Salesforce. Formula fields can be used to display computed results on records or even update other fields, offering dynamic data presentation.
7. How can you prevent recursive triggers in Salesforce?
Recursive triggers occur when a trigger causes itself to run repeatedly, leading to unexpected behavior. To prevent this, you can use static variables. For example, setting a static variable in the trigger handler to track whether the trigger has already executed for a specific operation prevents it from being triggered again during the same transaction.
8. What is an Apex class, and how does it differ from a trigger?
An Apex class is a collection of code that defines the logic and functions of a Salesforce application. It is used to handle complex business logic, data processing, and integration with external systems. A trigger is more event-driven and directly interacts with Salesforce records during DML operations, while an Apex class is more flexible and reusable in various contexts.
9. Explain the concept of "Bulkification" in Salesforce development.
Bulkification refers to writing code in Salesforce that can handle multiple records in a single operation rather than processing records one by one. This is essential to avoid hitting Salesforce’s governor limits, particularly the DML and SOQL limits. Bulkification ensures that your Apex code can efficiently process large volumes of records.
10. What is a junction object in Salesforce, and when would you use it?
A junction object is a custom object in Salesforce used to create many-to-many relationships between two other objects. It contains two master-detail relationships, one to each of the related objects. You would use a junction object when you need to link two objects in a way that allows multiple records of one object to be associated with multiple records of another.
11. What is the difference between a master-detail relationship and a lookup relationship in Salesforce?
A master-detail relationship is a strong relationship where the child record’s lifecycle is tied to the parent. If the parent record is deleted, all related child records are deleted as well. A lookup relationship is a looser relationship where the child record can exist independently of the parent record, and deleting the parent does not delete the child.
12. What is the role of the "with sharing" and "without sharing" keywords in Apex?
The "with sharing" keyword ensures that the Apex class respects the sharing rules of the current user. This means it can only access records that the user has permission to view. The "without sharing" keyword bypasses the sharing rules, allowing the class to access all records, regardless of the user's access level.
13. What is the difference between a trigger.new and trigger.old context variable in Salesforce?
The trigger.new context variable holds the new versions of records that are being inserted or updated. In contrast, trigger.old holds the old versions of the records before they were updated. These variables are useful when you need to compare the current and previous values of records, especially in update triggers.
14. What is the use of the "Queueable Apex" interface?
The "Queueable Apex" interface allows for asynchronous processing of jobs in Salesforce. It is used when you need to perform complex operations outside of the main transaction flow, such as data processing or integration tasks. Queueable Apex jobs are similar to future methods but provide more flexibility in terms of chaining jobs and passing complex objects.
15. What are the different types of reports in Salesforce?
Salesforce provides four types of reports: Tabular, Summary, Matrix, and Joined. A Tabular report is a simple listing of records, while a Summary report allows for grouping and summarization. A Matrix report is a combination of rows and columns for multi-dimensional analysis. A Joined report allows you to view different report types in a single report for comparative analysis.
ADVANCED LEVEL QUESTIONS
1. What are Governor Limits in Salesforce and how do you manage them?
Governor limits are a set of limits in Salesforce that restrict the number of resources a single transaction can consume. These limits are in place to ensure that Salesforce’s multi-tenant architecture operates efficiently without one user’s process negatively affecting others. Some of the most common limits include the number of SOQL queries that can be executed in a single transaction, the number of DML operations, and the amount of CPU time. To manage these limits, developers must use bulkification, which is the practice of writing efficient code that processes multiple records at once rather than individually. Additionally, using techniques like Test.startTest() and Test.stopTest() during testing can help to reset the limits, and optimizing queries by using selective filters and indexing can further ensure that code runs efficiently.
2. How does the Salesforce Lightning Component framework work?
The Salesforce Lightning Component framework is a UI framework that allows developers to build dynamic and responsive applications for the Salesforce platform. It consists of two primary components: the Lightning Web Components (LWC) and Aura Components. LWC is a modern, lightweight programming model that offers faster performance and a more streamlined syntax, while Aura provides a more mature set of tools for developing dynamic, reusable components. In this framework, components interact with each other through events, where parent components can send data to child components via attributes, and child components can notify parents of changes through events. Developers also leverage Lightning App Builder, a point-and-click tool, to arrange these components and create customized applications. The component-based approach allows for greater reusability and flexibility, making it easier to manage complex UIs.
3. Explain the differences between Apex Triggers and Process Builder in Salesforce.
Apex Triggers and Process Builder are both used to automate processes in Salesforce, but they differ in terms of complexity and control. Apex Triggers are server-side scripts that execute when certain database events occur, such as record creation, update, or deletion. Triggers give developers full control over the automation logic, allowing them to handle complex requirements like recursive calls, bulk processing, and integration with external systems. However, triggers require programming knowledge and can be more difficult to debug. On the other hand, Process Builder is a point-and-click automation tool that simplifies automation tasks. It allows non-developers to automate actions such as updating records, sending emails, or creating tasks based on conditions. While Process Builder is easier to use, it lacks the flexibility and control that triggers offer for more advanced use cases.
4. What is the purpose of using asynchronous Apex, and when would you need to use it?
Asynchronous Apex is used in Salesforce when long-running operations or processes are needed without blocking the user’s interface or consuming all available resources in a synchronous transaction. The main types of asynchronous Apex are Future Methods, Queueable Apex, Batch Apex, and Scheduled Apex. Future Methods are useful for operations that don’t need to be completed immediately, such as calling external web services. Queueable Apex allows for more complex operations with the ability to chain jobs, while Batch Apex is used for processing large volumes of data by dividing the task into manageable chunks. Scheduled Apex enables the scheduling of Apex classes to run at specific times. These asynchronous operations are essential for ensuring that Salesforce doesn’t hit governor limits and allows processes to be managed more efficiently without user intervention.
5. Describe the importance of "With Sharing" and "Without Sharing" keywords in Apex.
The "With Sharing" and "Without Sharing" keywords in Apex play a crucial role in defining the security and data access control of an Apex class. When the "With Sharing" keyword is used, the class follows the sharing rules of the current user, ensuring that only records the user has access to can be queried or modified. This is important for maintaining data security and ensuring that users can only access data they are permitted to view. On the other hand, the "Without Sharing" keyword allows the Apex class to bypass the sharing rules, meaning that it can access all records, regardless of the user's access permissions. While this offers more flexibility, it should be used cautiously to avoid inadvertently exposing sensitive data. It is crucial to make the right choice based on the specific use case to balance flexibility and security.
6. What is the role of Custom Metadata Types in Salesforce?
Custom Metadata Types in Salesforce are a powerful way to define and manage custom metadata that can be used in Apex code, formulas, and validation rules. Unlike custom objects, Custom Metadata Types allow developers to create configuration data that can be deployed across environments and accessed in a similar manner to custom objects. They are ideal for storing application settings, business rules, or other reusable configurations that can be referenced throughout an organization. For instance, a developer might use Custom Metadata Types to manage a list of discount percentages or region-specific settings in an application. This approach ensures that configurations can be easily managed and transferred between environments, as opposed to hard-coding values directly into the application.
7. Explain the differences between Salesforce Object Query Language (SOQL) and Salesforce Object Search Language (SOSL).
SOQL (Salesforce Object Query Language) and SOSL (Salesforce Object Search Language) are both query languages used in Salesforce to retrieve data, but they serve different purposes. SOQL is used for querying a single object and its related objects, allowing developers to retrieve specific records based on field values. It is similar to SQL but optimized for Salesforce’s multi-tenant architecture. SOQL can be used to query data with more specific conditions, like filtering records based on field values or sorting results. SOSL, on the other hand, is used for performing text searches across multiple objects simultaneously. It is useful when you need to search for a keyword or phrase across different fields or objects in Salesforce. While SOQL is great for retrieving specific records, SOSL is more efficient for searching across a broader dataset.
8. What is a Junction Object, and why is it important in Salesforce?
A Junction Object in Salesforce is a custom object that is used to establish a many-to-many relationship between two objects. This is accomplished by creating two master-detail relationships between the junction object and the other two objects. For example, if you wanted to associate multiple contacts with multiple accounts, you would use a junction object to link the two, enabling each contact to be linked to multiple accounts and each account to have multiple contacts. Junction objects are important because they allow for complex relationships between objects that cannot be achieved with just lookup relationships or simple master-detail relationships. They are widely used for scenarios such as linking students to courses, or products to orders in a many-to-many relationship.
9. How do you prevent recursion in Apex Triggers?
Recursion in Apex triggers occurs when a trigger causes itself to run repeatedly, which can lead to governor limit violations and unexpected results. To prevent recursion, developers can use static variables. Static variables retain their values throughout the execution context of a transaction, and by using a static variable to track whether a trigger has already executed, you can ensure that it doesn't run again for the same transaction. For example, before performing any DML operations, the trigger would check if the static variable has been set to true, and if so, it would skip the logic to prevent further recursion. This method helps to control the flow of trigger execution and ensures that the code behaves predictably.
10. What is the difference between a Custom Object and a Custom Setting in Salesforce?
Both Custom Objects and Custom Settings are used to store data in Salesforce, but they are designed for different purposes. Custom Objects are user-defined entities that store business-specific data, such as customer information or sales records. They are typically used to track and manage dynamic records that change frequently. Custom Settings, on the other hand, are used to store static configuration data that is typically used for reference throughout an application. Custom Settings are particularly useful for storing application-level configurations like API keys, feature toggles, or company-wide settings. Unlike Custom Objects, Custom Settings can be accessed without using SOQL, making them more efficient for accessing configuration data.
11. Explain the significance of the "Trigger.new" and "Trigger.old" context variables.
In Salesforce Apex triggers, "Trigger.new" and "Trigger.old" are context variables that provide access to the records involved in the trigger event. "Trigger.new" holds the new versions of records being inserted or updated, while "Trigger.old" contains the previous versions of the records before they were updated or deleted. These variables are especially useful when you need to compare the old and new values of fields to determine if certain actions should be taken. For example, in an update trigger, you might check if the value of a field has changed, and if so, perform a specific action. These context variables give developers the ability to write more dynamic and conditional trigger logic.
12. How does Salesforce handle asynchronous processing, and when should you use it?
Salesforce provides several mechanisms for asynchronous processing to handle long-running tasks without blocking the user’s interface or violating governor limits. The primary methods for asynchronous processing are Future Methods, Queueable Apex, Batch Apex, and Scheduled Apex. Future Methods allow you to execute operations asynchronously without waiting for a response, making them ideal for tasks like sending emails or calling external services. Queueable Apex offers more flexibility, enabling developers to chain jobs and handle complex operations. Batch Apex is used for processing large datasets in smaller, manageable chunks, and Scheduled Apex allows developers to run jobs at specific times. Asynchronous processing is essential for maintaining system performance and user experience when dealing with long-running operations.
13. What are some key considerations when deploying Apex classes across environments?
When deploying Apex classes across environments, there are several key considerations to ensure a smooth and error-free process. First, it’s important to write test methods for your Apex code to achieve a minimum code coverage of 75% for deployment to production. Second, consider using Change Sets or the Salesforce Metadata API for transferring Apex classes and associated components between sandboxes and production. It’s also important to ensure that any dependencies, such as custom objects, fields, or workflows, are included in the deployment package. Testing the deployment in a sandbox or staging environment before moving to production is crucial to identifying any potential issues. Additionally, ensure that all necessary configurations and security settings, such as profiles and permission sets, are correctly configured post-deployment.
14. What is the role of "Lightning Flow" in Salesforce automation?
Lightning Flow is a powerful automation tool in Salesforce that allows users to automate business processes with a visual interface. It combines both Flow Builder and Process Builder functionality, providing a flexible way to automate tasks such as updating records, sending notifications, or calling Apex classes. Lightning Flow offers two main types of flows: Screen Flows and Autolaunched Flows. Screen Flows require user interaction and are used to guide users through a series of screens, while Autolaunched Flows run automatically based on triggers or other criteria. The flexibility of Lightning Flow enables both developers and admins to create sophisticated business process automation without requiring extensive coding knowledge.
15. How does Salesforce handle data security for Apex classes and triggers?
Salesforce enforces data security for Apex classes and triggers by leveraging the platform's built-in sharing rules, object-level security, and field-level security settings. Developers must be aware of the "With Sharing" and "Without Sharing" keywords to control data visibility. The "With Sharing" keyword ensures that Apex code respects the user’s sharing rules, meaning the code can only access records that the user has permission to view or modify. The "Without Sharing" keyword bypasses the sharing rules, giving unrestricted access to all records. Additionally, Apex code can be further secured by explicitly checking field-level permissions and ensuring that users can only access data they are authorized to view.