Lesson 1: Salesforce Development Basics

Lesson 1: Introduction to Salesforce Development

1. Salesforce Object Query Language (SOQL)

• Definition: SOQL retrieves records from Salesforce objects, similar to SQL in databases.

• Use: Extract specific data efficiently.

• Example: Fetching accounts with revenue above $1M.

List<Account> accounts = [SELECT Name, AnnualRevenue FROM Account WHERE AnnualRevenue > 1000000];

Explanation:

1. List<Account> stores multiple Account objects.

2. SELECT Name, AnnualRevenue defines fields to retrieve.

3. WHERE filters accounts with AnnualRevenue > 1000000.

2. Data Manipulation Language (DML)

• Definition: DML modifies Salesforce data, including inserting, updating, or deleting records.

• Use: Perform CRUD operations programmatically.

• Example: Inserting a new Contact record.

Contact newContact = new Contact(FirstName = 'John', LastName = 'Doe', Email = 'john.doe@example.com');
insert newContact;

Explanation:

1. new Contact() creates a Contact instance.

2. FirstName, LastName, Email set field values.

3. insert commits the new record to the database.

3. Apex Triggers

• Definition: Triggers automate actions when specific events occur (e.g., insert, update).

• Use: Enforce rules or sync data.

• Example: Trigger to update Account fields after Contact insertion.

trigger UpdateAccountTrigger on Contact (after insert) {
    for (Contact con : Trigger.new) {
        Account acc = [SELECT Id, LastContactDate FROM Account WHERE Id = :con.AccountId LIMIT 1];
        acc.LastContactDate = System.today();
        update acc;
    }
}

Explanation:

1. after insert runs trigger post-insertion.

2. Trigger.new contains inserted records.

3. update acc saves updated Account.

Summary

• SOQL: Query data with filters.

• DML: Modify database records.

• Apex Triggers: Automate Salesforce logic.