Apex is a strongly typed, object-oriented programming language specifically designed for the Salesforce platform. It allows developers to execute flow and transaction control statements on the Salesforce server, alongside the API calls to the database. Apex is heavily influenced by Java-like syntax, promoting code reusability and efficient problem-solving in a cloud environment. The language is tailored to integrate seamlessly with Salesforce's cloud services, enabling business logic to be implemented directly within the Salesforce ecosystem.
Apex was introduced by Salesforce in 2007 as part of their Salesforce Platform. Its primary goal was to empower developers to create custom business logic, automated workflows, and integrations within the Salesforce infrastructure. The designers aimed to develop a language that not only mirrored Java's syntax but also embraced the unique requirements of cloud computing.
Apex shares a resemblance with Java, incorporating similar object-oriented principles and syntax. It is also comparable to languages like C# and Python in terms of ease of use and developers' adaptability. The language benefits from runtime services provided by Salesforce, which handles resource management and execution context, a feature that is common in managed languages like C# and Java. The integration with the Salesforce ecosystem means that Apex applications can interact with various third-party services via APIs.
As of 2023, Apex continues to evolve, with regular updates from Salesforce that enhance the language's capabilities and alignment with modern development practices. New features have been introduced over the years, including asynchronous processing, advanced data manipulation through collections, and improved debugging tools. It is an integral part of the Salesforce ecosystem, with a robust community of developers contributing to its growth.
Apex is a strongly typed language, meaning that each variable must have a declared type. For example:
String greeting = 'Hello, Salesforce!';
Apex supports object-oriented programming concepts like classes and inheritance. Here is an example of a simple class definition:
public class Vehicle {
public String type;
public Vehicle(String type) {
this.type = type;
}
}
Apex provides mechanisms to handle exceptions, which improves code robustness. An example of exception handling is:
try {
Integer result = 10 / 0;
} catch (DivisionByZeroException e) {
System.debug('Division by zero is not allowed: ' + e.getMessage());
}
Apex can execute Salesforce Object Query Language (SOQL) and Salesforce Object Search Language (SOSL) queries to fetch data from Salesforce objects. For example:
List<Account> accts = [SELECT Id, Name FROM Account WHERE Industry = 'Technology'];
Apex supports triggers, allowing developers to execute code before or after specific database events. Example of a trigger on the Account object:
trigger AccountTrigger on Account (before insert) {
for (Account acct : Trigger.new) {
acct.Name = 'New ' + acct.Name;
}
}
Apex has features for asynchronous processing, enabling long-running operations to execute in the background, improving user experience. For instance:
@future
public static void processAccount(Id accountId) {
// Perform long-running operation
}
Apex supports collections (like Lists, Sets, and Maps), which simplify data manipulation. Example of using a List:
List<String> names = new List<String>();
names.add('Alice');
names.add('Bob');
Apex allows the creation of batch processes that can handle large volumes of records efficiently. Example:
global class BatchExample implements Database.Batchable<SObject> {
global Database.QueryLocator start(Database.BatchableContext BC) {
return Database.getQueryLocator('SELECT Id FROM Account');
}
}
Apex emphasizes the need for testing with built-in support for writing unit tests. Example of a test method:
@isTest
private class AccountTest {
@isTest static void testAccountCreation() {
Account acct = new Account(Name='Test Account');
insert acct;
System.assertNotEquals(null, acct.Id);
}
}
Apex includes annotations to define specific behaviors, such as @AuraEnabled to expose methods for Lightning components. Example:
@AuraEnabled
public static String getGreeting() {
return 'Hello from Apex!';
}
Salesforce provides its own development environment, known as Salesforce Developer Console, where developers can write and test their Apex code. Additionally, tools like Salesforce Extensions for Visual Studio Code offer a more robust coding environment with advanced features.
To build an Apex project, developers typically use the Salesforce Setup interface to create classes, triggers, and other components. The deployment process includes creating packages and possibly using Salesforce CLI if working locally.
Apex is predominantly used within the Salesforce ecosystem to implement business logic, automate workflows, and manage complex integrations. Applications include:
Apex's closest comparisons can be made with Java and C#, primarily due to its object-oriented features and managed runtime environment. Unlike C++ and Python, which can be more general-purpose, Apex is expressly tailored for cloud-based applications, enhancing its interaction with Salesforce's cloud services.
In comparison to JavaScript, Apex provides a more structured and type-safe environment, suitable for server-side logic, whereas JavaScript is often used for client-side scripting. Apex is also less flexible than Python but offers more control over data handling in the specific context of Salesforce.
For developers looking to translate code from Apex to other languages or vice versa, they should consider the specific Salesforce features that do not have direct equivalents in other languages. As of now, there are no widely recognized source-to-source translation tools specifically for Apex. However, developers can leverage API calls and web services to facilitate integration with code written in other languages.