Salesforce Platform Customization
With the Salesforce platform, users have access to pre-built applications that can be used “as is” or customized to make business transactions simpler and more efficient. But another useful feature of the platform is its ability to create new applications specifically tailored to your organization’s unique business needs and practices, with support provided by our Salesforce Apex consulting services.
While the Salesforce user interface includes several customization options, including the ability to define new fields, objects, workflow, and approval processes, developers often opt to integrate their own data manipulation commands to expand the functionality of their browser-based, client side programs.
Compiled, Stored, Run on Force.com
To achieve this goal, they utilize the platform’s Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) Application Programming Interface (API), which allows them to create flow and transaction control statements, including “delete,” “update,” and “upsert.”
However, as the controlling logic for these programs is located on the client’s browser, not the Force.com platform server, it can be costly and cumbersome to route the programming language onto the Salesforce website to accomplish tasks, as well as host server code such as Java or .NET, in a secure environment.
Functional for Ease of Use
The execution time of requests generated through Apex code is the same as that of a standard platform request, so even the most customized applications run at the same speed and efficiency as all Salesforce solutions. When a developer first creates the code, it is uncompiled. It is then sent through the application server, which compiles it into a set of instructions and saves it as metadata. When a user prompts the code through a trigger, such as a button/link click, or an action, such as visiting a Visualforce page, the server retrieves the metadata, which is then sent through a runtime interpreter, to complete the action. Because the compiled code is saved as metadata, Apex code is automatically upgraded with the rest of the Force.com platform any time an update occurs.
Apex Code Basics
Apex code is designed to help alleviate the operational and financial burden of client-to-platform server routing by allowing advanced administrators and developers to execute server-based control statements to work in conjunction with calls to the Force.com API.
Interpreted, executed, and controlled entirely on the Salesforce platform, it is based on syntax similar to Java and features familiar elements, including SOQL queries, data manipulation language (DML) operation, control structures, arrays, and variable declarations.
The code can be used to incorporate business logic into most system events, including links, buttons, related record updates and even Visualforce pages. Simple service requests or object triggers (such as a mouse click) immediately execute code-driven responses for seamless operation and usability.
User-Friendly and Data Focused
Not only is Apex code easy to write, based on recognizable Java elements, including variable and expression syntax, block and conditional statement syntax, loop syntax. and object/array notation, it is also concise, weaving together multiple query and DML statements into a single unit of work on the Force.com server.
As Apex is running in a multi-tenant environment along with the rest of the Force.com platform, runaway code is prevented through the runtime engine, which ensures shared resources are not monopolized. Even development failures are communicated clearly and with precision—any code that violates runtime limits fails with practical error messages and any invalid code reference will result in a quick fail during compilation. Additionally, built-in support enables code testing, which details code coverage and provides suggestions to improve code efficiency.
Custom and Flexible
Apex code can be used to implement custom functionality into new applications designed to support your specific business procedures. Common uses include the creation of Web services, e-mail services, and complex processes not supported by current workflow.
It can also be used to enhance logic flexibility, so logic occurs over entire transactions versus a single object or record, or to develop custom logic assigned to be executed along with a specific operation, regardless of origin (e.g., user interface, Visualforce page, SOAP API). Now, any business idea can be turned into a dynamic mobile solution accessible through the Force.com platform, transforming the way developers create on-demand applications.
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