Greetings on this 1st day of the 10 day apex series! On the first day you’re going to learn about the basics of Apex.
What is Salesforce Apex?
Apex is a dedicated programming language created by Salesforce. It lets you write custom instructions (or “code”) that run on Salesforce servers. These instructions help control how Salesforce works, such as when records are created or updated.
Think about Apex as Salesforce’s backend instructions. It assists Salesforce in performing certain tasks automatically so you don’t have to do them by hand.
This is an example of the use of Apex:
- Task automation: You can write an Apex “trigger” to change a field value automatically when an account is created.
This is an easy example of an Apex trigger that modifies the description of an account upon creation:
This trigger runs every time a new account is added and changes the account’s description to say, “This account was created by Apex!”
Why is Salesforce Apex so Important?
Salesforce Apex is essential since it lets you change Salesforce to fit your particular needs. Even though salesforce is a powerful CRM tool to allow the automation by flows and other declarative tools still we need Apex to customize the complex business logics. Like processing huge amounts of records and so on.
With Salesforce Apex, you can:
- Automate tasks (like updating records automatically, sending emails, )
- Customize business rules (for example, automatically assigning records based on certain criteria)
- Integrate Salesforce with other systems (like connecting Salesforce to external databases Ex: SAP )
Also Read
Don’t forget to checkout: Salesforce Certification Changes 2025: What to Know.
Key Features of Salesforce Apex
Let’s break down some key features that make Salesforce Apex easy and powerful to use:
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Apex is Integrated with Salesforce
Apex integrates seamlessly with Salesforce’s integrated functionalities. This eliminates the need for third-party tools and complex setup. It is made to integrate seamlessly with Salesforce data.
For example, Salesforce Apex can:
- Create new records
- Update or delete existing records
- Run custom queries to pull data
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Apex is so Easy to Learn
If you have experience with other programming languages like Java or other programmings, Apex will seem quite familiar. The syntax—the rules for writing code—is similar to that of these languages, therefore it is easy to learn.
This is an example of a simple Apex “if” statement:
This “if” statement checks if the account’s name is “Test Account” and then updates its description.
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Apex Handles Data
Apex is great for working with data in Salesforce. You can use it to query data (using a language called SOQL or SOSL) and make changes to records with DML (Data Manipulation Language).
Here’s how you can get all accounts in Salesforce with the industry “Technology”:
This code finds all accounts that belong to the “Technology” industry and prints their names.
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Testing Your Code in Apex
Salesforce has a feature to make our code functional before it went to live, which is a great feature of the Apex. We have to create different test classes by keeping the test data and logic should be satisfied with the functionality. As per salesforce test class code coverage should be 75% minimum then only we are able to push our main code to PROD.
Why Salesforce Apex is the Great for Beginners
Apex is easy to use even for beginners in programming for several reasons:
- Simple Syntax: Like Java and other programming languages, Apex has an easy-to-read syntax.
- No Complex Setup: Apex operates on Salesforce’s servers, so you don’t have to worry about hosting your code or putting up complex infrastructure.
- Built-in Error Handling: Salesforce provides you with a detailed account of any errors that occur. This aids in problem-solving speedily.
Apex vs Other Programming Languages
Particularly if you’re new to programming or come from a different background, there are several key elements to consider while contrasting Apex with other programming languages. A more thorough look at Apex with Java and other languages shows this.
Comparison between Apex and Other Programming Languages
Particularly if you’re new to programming or come from a different background, there are several key elements to consider while contrasting Apex with other programming languages. A more thorough look at Apex with Java and other languages shows this.
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Apex vs Java
- Similarities:
- Both are object-oriented programming languages.
- There are many common structures, such as classes, methods, and loops, in both languages’ syntax.
- Since Apex and Java share a lot of syntax, learning Apex will be much simpler for you if you already know Java.
- Differences:
- Purpose: Java serves a variety of purposes, including web and Android applications. Contrarily, Apex is unique to Salesforce and is used to create unique business logic inside the Salesforce platform.
- Environment: While Apex only functions within the Salesforce ecosystem (it is hosted on Salesforce’s cloud servers), Java can run on any computer.
- Similarities:
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Apex vs JavaScript
- Similarities:
- JavaScript and Apex are both utilized in some capacity for web development. Apex is used for back-end logic in Salesforce apps, while JavaScript is frequently used for front-end web development.
- Both support asynchronous programming (you can run certain processes in the background).
- Differences:
- Purpose: While Apex is specifically used for Salesforce-related tasks like automation, data handling, and custom logic on Salesforce, JavaScript is used on web pages to make websites responsive and interactive.
- Scope: Apex is a server-side language that runs on Salesforce’s servers, whereas JavaScript is a client-side language that runs in the browser.
- Similarities:
Is Learning Apex Essential for a Salesforce Career?
Yes, if you want to work with advanced customizations or become a Salesforce developer, learning Apex is essential.
This is about day 1 we learn what is an Apex and how it is important for salesforce development. In Day 2 you will learn about the salesforce environment setup for the development. Please do follow the 10 day Salesforce Apex series. You will be an expert in Apex by Day 10. Happy Coding 
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