30 Salesforce Developer Interview Questions & Answers
As Salesforce continues to integrate into an expanding array of businesses, the demand for developers remains insatiable. The technologies underpinning Salesforce are continually evolving, amplifying the necessity and expectations for skilled developers. Let’s start to 30 Salesforce Developer Interview Questions & Answers.
Entering a job interview armed with a comprehensive understanding of the platform can significantly impress interviewers. Below, you’ll find a selection of Salesforce Developer interview questions that I’ve either posed or encountered during interviews for roles spanning different levels of seniority. These questions aim to provide insight into what may be expected of you and the type of responses that garner approval.
The following Salesforce Developer interview questions offer insight into the types of inquiries commonly encountered in technical interviews. However, it’s important to acknowledge that each interviewer has their distinct style and may present varied questions. Approach each interview with an open mindset, ready to demonstrate your technical proficiency and adaptability. Remember, honesty about your knowledge and a willingness to learn are valued traits. Best of luck in showcasing your abilities and leaving a lasting impression on the interviewer.
PLATFORM KNOWLEDGE
1. What are Governor Limits?
Governor limits in Salesforce ensure fair resource allocation within its multi-tenant environment, preventing any individual user from monopolizing shared resources. These limits are enforced on Apex, curbing excessive data storage and ensuring equitable access to database resources for all users. By setting boundaries on data usage, Salesforce maintains the integrity and performance of its shared infrastructure, fostering a level playing field for all its users. For example, number of SOQL queries, number of inbound and outbound email that can be sent or received within a certain time period, limits for DML statements, and limits for transactions on specific workflows.
2. What programming languages can we use to customize a Salesforce instance?
In Salesforce, Apex stands as the sole language utilized for server-side operations. Its syntax resembles Java. On the front end, the main technology is Lightning Web Components, supported by the less prevalent Aura Components and Visualforce. These front-end tools utilize HTML, CSS, and JavaScript alongside Apex for customization purposes. Moreover, Flow offers a low-code alternative for customizing both the front and back ends of a Salesforce instance.
3. What declarative tools can we use to customize a Salesforce instance?
Declarative tools in Salesforce refer to the user-friendly, point-and-click interface options provided by the platform for customization without writing code. Users can create custom objects and fields to capture and store specific data that is relevant to their business processes. This flexibility enables users to extend Salesforce’s standard data model to meet unique requirements. Users can define custom objects and custom fields to represent any type of data they need to track, such as projects, events, products, or custom entities specific to their business.
Workflow rules allow users to automate standard internal procedures and processes to trigger actions based on certain criteria, such as sending email alerts or updating fields.
Flow Builder provides a powerful way to create custom, automated processes with complex logic and user interaction. Users can create flows to automate business processes, guide users through steps, and perform complex data manipulation.
4. When would we choose programmatic development over declarative?
Programmatic development in Salesforce is preferred when customization requirements necessitate complex logic, optimization, or integration capabilities beyond what declarative tools offer. This includes scenarios such as handling intricate business logic, implementing custom algorithms or external libraries, optimizing performance for bulk data processing, building custom user interfaces, and integrating with external systems using APIs. Programmatic solutions, such as Apex code and Lightning Web Components, provide developers with greater flexibility and control to meet these advanced requirements, albeit with the trade-off of increased development effort and maintenance overhead.
On the other hand, declarative customization in Salesforce is the preferred approach for straightforward configurations and workflows that can be accomplished using point-and-click tools without writing code. Declarative tools, such as Workflow Rules, Process Builder, and Schema Builder, empower administrators and business users to configure automation, data modeling, and user interface customization with ease. This approach is ideal for tasks like creating workflow rules, defining approval processes, configuring page layouts, and setting up simple data validation rules. Declarative customization offers a faster implementation process and requires minimal technical expertise, making it accessible to a broader range of users within an organization.
In summary, programmatic development is chosen over declarative configuration when customization requirements demand more complex logic, performance optimization, integration capabilities, or flexibility beyond what can be achieved with declarative tools alone. However, it’s essential to consider factors such as maintenance overhead, scalability, and the availability of skilled developers when making this decision.
5. What is the Salesforce release model?
The Salesforce release model operates on a triannual schedule, delivering significant updates known as releases: Spring, Summer, and Winter. These updates bring forth new features, enhancements, and improvements across the Salesforce ecosystem, encompassing core platforms like Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, and Marketing Cloud. Salesforce adopts a phased rollout strategy, progressively deploying updates across various instances such as Preview, Sandbox, and Production environments. This approach ensures customers have timely access to the latest innovations while allowing for thorough testing and preparation before changes are implemented in production environments.
6. What Salesforce supported development tools are there?
Salesforce offers a range of development tools to cater to different needs and preferences of developers. One of the main development tool is Salesforce Extensions. This robust tool empowers developers to create Salesforce applications utilizing Visual Studio Code, a versatile and adaptable code editor. It offers functionalities like syntax highlighting, code completion, debugging, and seamless integration with Salesforce Orgs, facilitating both development and deployment processes.
7. What are three types of object relationship?
In Salesforce, there are three types of object relationships:
Lookup Relationship: A lookup relationship is a type of relationship where one object (the child) has a reference (lookup field) to another object (the parent). This relationship is non-hierarchical and does not imply ownership or deletion behavior. It allows users to create associations between records of different objects without affecting the record access or deletion.
Master-Detail Relationship: A master-detail relationship is a type of relationship where one object (the detail) is dependent on another object (the master). In this relationship, the detail record inherits certain characteristics from the master record, such as sharing and deletion behavior. The master record controls the existence of detail records, and when the master record is deleted, all associated detail records are also deleted.
Self: A self relationship in Salesforce refers to a lookup relationship where a field on an object points to the same object type. This allows for a hierarchical or chained structure of records within the same object. However, a record cannot establish a relationship with itself. Self relationships are often used to represent hierarchical data structures, such as organizational charts or parent-child relationships within the same object type. They enable the creation of relationships between records of the same object, facilitating navigation and querying of hierarchical data.
8. What is SOQL?
SOQL, or Salesforce Object Query Language, serves as the primary language for querying data within the Salesforce database. It closely resembles SQL syntax but is exclusively designed for querying, particularly for retrieving data from a single object and its related records. SOQL queries can be executed within Apex code to retrieve records for processing within the application logic. Additionally, SOQL can be utilized via APIs and various tools, such as data loading tools, to query and manipulate data within Salesforce instances.
List<Contact> contacts = [SELECT Id FROM Contact WHERE AccountId = :accountId];
APEX PROGRAMMING
9. What is required for deploying Apex code to a Production instance?
Deploying Apex code to a production instance in Salesforce typically involves several steps to ensure that the changes are safely delivered without disrupting ongoing operations.
- All Apex classes and triggers must compile successfully without any syntax errors or compilation failures. This ensures that the code is syntactically correct and ready for execution in the production environment.
- Tests must cover at least 75% of all Apex code, including classes and triggers, and there must not be any test failures. This requirement ensures that the deployed code is adequately tested and that potential issues are identified before deployment.
- All triggers must have at least 1% test coverage. Even though the overall test coverage requirement is 75%, individual triggers must have their own test coverage as well. This ensures that triggers are properly tested and that their behavior is well-understood.
10. What’s the difference between queueable Apex, batch Apex and schedulable Apex?
Queueable Apex, Batch Apex, and Schedulable Apex are three different features in Salesforce used for asynchronous processing and handling large volumes of data:
Queueable Apex: is utilized when there’s a need to execute tasks asynchronously, particularly to prevent long-running processes that could exceed governor limits. It’s suitable for scenarios where complex operations or callouts need to be performed without blocking the user interface. Queueable Apex jobs are executed in the background and queued to be processed by Salesforce when resources are available. They run in their own transaction context and can be chained together to execute multiple tasks in sequence, each with its own set of governor limits.
public class QueueableApex implements Queueable {
private List<Account> accounts;
public QueueableApex(List<Account> accounts) {
this.accounts = accounts;
}
public void execute(QueueableContext context) {
// Do some fancy stuff
}
}
Batch Apex: on the other hand, is designed for processing large volumes of data by breaking it into manageable chunks. It’s commonly used for tasks like data cleansing, data migration, and complex calculations. Batch Apex jobs are executed in discrete batches, with each batch processing a subset of records. Salesforce handles the iteration through the batches automatically until all records are processed. Batch jobs can be scheduled to run at specific times or executed manually, with their own set of governor limits to ensure efficient processing of large datasets.
public class BatchClass implements Database.Batchable < sObject > {
public Database.QueryLocator start(Database.BatchableContext bc) {
// Get the records to process
return Database.getQueryLocator('SELECT Id FROM Account');
}
public void execute(Database.BatchableContext bc, List < sObject > scope) {
// Do something for each batch
}
public void finish(Database.BatchableContext info) {
// Do something
}
}
Schedulable Apex: allows scheduling of Apex classes to run at specific times or intervals, making it suitable for tasks that need to be executed regularly. This could include data synchronization, report generation, or automated notifications. Schedulable Apex jobs are scheduled using the Salesforce scheduler, allowing for the specification of frequency and timing of execution (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly). When the scheduled time arrives, Salesforce invokes the specified Apex class to perform the defined task, adhering to governor limits and providing a convenient way to automate routine processes reliably and efficiently.
global class SchedulableApex implements Schedulable {
global void execute(SchedulableContext context) {
// Do something at a specific time
// Your logic here
}
}
11. What are the different events for an Apex Trigger?
Apex triggers in Salesforce are designed to respond to various events that occur during the lifecycle of records within the Salesforce platform.
The trigger events can be categorized based on the timing of their execution in relation to database operations. “Before” events occur before the database operation is finalized, allowing developers to intervene and make changes to the record data or enforce certain conditions before the operation proceeds. These include “Before Insert,” “Before Update,” and “Before Delete” events, which enable developers to intercept and modify records before they are inserted, updated, or deleted in the database.
Conversely, “After” events occur after the database operation has been completed, enabling developers to perform actions based on the outcome of the operation or to execute additional processes triggered by the changes. These events include “After Insert,” “After Update,” “After Delete,” and “After Undelete.” They provide developers with opportunities to perform tasks such as updating related records, sending notifications, or logging audit information after the database operation has been successfully executed.
12. What is a global Apex class?
A global Apex class in Salesforce is a class that can be accessed from any namespace within the Salesforce ecosystem. It allows for interaction and invocation from external components, such as managed packages or external systems. When a class is declared as global, it becomes accessible not only within its own namespace but also in other namespaces, including managed packages and external integrations.
13. What is an Interface and why would we use one?
An interface in programming defines a contract for a set of methods that a class must implement. It serves as a blueprint for defining the behavior of classes without specifying their implementation details. Interfaces help in achieving abstraction and decoupling, allowing classes to be more flexible and interchangeable.
We use interfaces to enforce a common structure among multiple classes, ensuring consistency in their behavior while allowing for different implementations. This promotes code reusability, as classes can implement multiple interfaces to inherit functionality across different contexts. Interfaces also facilitate polymorphism, enabling objects of different classes to be treated uniformly based on their shared interface, rather than their specific implementation. Overall, interfaces enhance code modularity, maintainability, and extensibility, making it easier to manage and scale complex software systems.
14. How can we allow Apex to be called by Lightning components?
To allow Apex methods to be called by Lightning components in Salesforce, you can use Apex controllers or Apex classes annotated with @AuraEnabled methods. These methods are exposed to Lightning components and can be invoked via client-side JavaScript controllers or directly in the markup. To allow Apex methods to be called by Lightning components in Salesforce, you can use Apex controllers or Apex classes annotated with @AuraEnabled methods. These methods are exposed to Lightning components and can be invoked via client-side JavaScript controllers or directly in the markup.
public with sharing class NewTaskController {
@AuraEnabled(cacheable = true)
public static List < LightningPicklistOption > getSubjectOptions() {
// Adjustments may be made here if needed
//Do Something
}
}
15. How can we debug our Apex code?
When debugging Apex code in Salesforce, we primarily rely on generating debug logs during code execution. These logs offer valuable insights into the sequence of events, any exceptions encountered, and details passed into System.debug() method calls.
By adjusting the logging levels appropriately, we can utilize the Apex Replay Debugger for more advanced debugging. This feature, integrated with tools like Visual Studio Code, enables us to step through code execution, set breakpoints, and examine variables in real-time. It provides a more interactive and in-depth debugging experience, allowing developers to identify and resolve issues efficiently.
16. How can we integrate into external REST web services?
When integrating with external REST web services in Salesforce, HTTP callouts are commonly used to invoke the external API endpoints. These callouts enable Salesforce to interact with the external system by sending HTTP requests and receiving responses.
In addition to sending requests, developers may need to construct complex payloads to match the specific format expected by the external API. Salesforce provides classes like JSON and XMLStreamWriter to facilitate the creation of JSON and XML payloads, respectively. These classes allow developers to generate structured data in the appropriate format required by the external API.
By leveraging HTTP callouts along with JSON and XMLStreamWriter classes, developers can seamlessly integrate Salesforce with external REST web services, enabling the exchange of data and the execution of business processes across different systems.
17. How can an external system integrate into Salesforce?
External systems can integrate into Salesforce through various methods tailored to their specific needs. For straightforward integrations, Salesforce offers a REST API, allowing external systems to perform operations like record creation, updating, querying, and deletion. Alternatively, the SOAP API provides a more robust integration solution with support for authentication, session management, and advanced data manipulation.
18. How can we secure credentials used for outbound integrations?
To secure credentials used for outbound integrations in Salesforce, the most preferred method is to utilize Named Credentials. Named Credentials allow you to specify the base endpoint and authentication credentials, and Salesforce handles the authentication process securely, keeping the credentials protected. This approach ensures that the credentials are not exposed within the code and are managed centrally within the platform.
Alternatively, if Named Credentials are not suitable for your scenario, you can consider storing the credentials in a Custom Metadata Type. This approach allows for different sets of credentials to be used across different environments, and permissions to access the Custom Metadata Type can be secured to restrict unauthorized access. It’s important to avoid hardcoding credentials directly within the code, as this practice is insecure and leaves the credentials vulnerable to exposure. By using Named Credentials or Custom Metadata Types, organizations can maintain a higher level of security for their outbound integrations in Salesforce.
LIGHTNING COMPONENTS
19. What is the difference between Lightning Web Components and Aura components?
Lightning Web Components and Aura components are both frameworks used for building user interfaces in Salesforce, but they differ in their underlying technologies and architecture. Lightning Web Components leverage modern web standards and are built using Web Components, allowing developers to create custom HTML elements in a lightweight and performant manner. On the other hand, Aura components are part of the legacy Lightning Component framework and rely on JavaScript and HTML for development. While both frameworks enable the creation of interactive and dynamic user interfaces, Lightning Web Components represent the evolution towards modern web development practices, offering improved performance and scalability compared to Aura components.
20. Why would we use Lightning Web Components over Aura components and vice versa?
Lightning Web Components (LWC) are preferred for new developments due to their easier development process and better performance compared to Aura components. LWC leverages modern web standards and provides a more streamlined development experience. However, if there’s a specific functionality not yet supported in LWC, Aura components can be used. In such cases, an LWC can be wrapped inside an Aura component to leverage the required functionality while still benefiting from the advantages of LWC.
21. How can Lightning Web Components be made configurable by an Admin?
In Lightning Web Components, administrators can make components configurable by defining properties in the component’s .js-meta.xml file. These properties can be specified within the targetConfig tag for the specific target. Additionally, administrators can further customize configurations to apply only to specific objects or limit where the component can be placed. This approach empowers admins to tailor the behavior and appearance of Lightning Web Components to meet the unique needs of their organization, enhancing flexibility and adaptability within the Salesforce environment.
<targetConfigs>
<targetConfig targets="lightning__RecordPage">
<property
label="Title"
default="myTitle"
required="true"
name="cardTitle"
type="String"
/>
</targetConfig>
</targetConfigs>
22. Where can we use Lightning Components?
Lightning Components can be used across various Salesforce experiences, including:
- Lightning Components can be embedded within Visualforce pages using the lightning:container component, allowing for a gradual transition from Visualforce to Lightning Experience.
- Lightning Components can be integrated into Lightning Flow to create interactive and dynamic flow screens, guiding users through complex processes and workflows.
- Lightning components can be added as Quick Actions, allowing users to perform specific tasks or actions directly from records in Salesforce, enhancing productivity and efficiency.
- Lightning components can be used as pre-chat components in Live Agent and Snap-ins, providing a customizable interface for engaging with customers before initiating a chat session.
- Lightning components can be embedded within Outlook and Gmail integrations, extending the functionality of email communications with custom actions and interfaces.
- Lightning components can be incorporated into Salesforce Flows, allowing for the creation of interactive and dynamic flow screens to guide users through complex processes and workflows.
23. What is SLDS?
SLDS stands for Salesforce Lightning Design System. It is a collection of CSS styles, design patterns, and guidelines provided by Salesforce to help developers create user interfaces that are consistent with the Lightning Experience interface. SLDS provides a set of pre-built CSS classes, components, and design tokens that developers can use to build visually appealing, responsive, and accessible user interfaces for their Salesforce applications.
Additionally, SLDS offers guidelines on accessibility, language usage, and icons, enhancing usability and ensuring a cohesive user experience. By adhering to SLDS principles, developers can create visually appealing and accessible custom components that seamlessly integrate with the Salesforce Lightning interface.
SECURE DEVELOPMENT
24. How can we enforce Field Level Security (FLS) within our Apex code?
When enforcing Field-Level Security (FLS) within Apex code, the approach can vary depending on the context. One method is to use the WITH SECURITY_ENFORCED clause in queries. This clause ensures that any fields queried without the appropriate permissions will result in an insufficient permissions exception being thrown.
List<Contact> contacts = [
SELECT Id
FROM Contact
WHERE AccountId = :accountId
WITH SECURITY_ENFORCED
];
This approach is suitable when performing queries and when immediate handling of missing permissions is not necessary.
SObjectAccessDecision securityDecision = Security.stripInaccessible(
AccessType.CREATABLE,
new List<Task>{ task }
);
insert securityDecision.getRecordsToCreate();
25. How can we enforce Sharing Rules within our Apex code?
To enforce Sharing Rules within Apex code, we can utilize the with sharing or without sharing keywords in the class definition. The with sharing keyword enforces sharing rules, ensuring that the record-level access permissions of the current user are respected. Alternatively, the without sharing keyword disregards sharing rules, providing unrestricted access to records regardless of the current user’s permissions. Additionally, we can use the inherited sharing behavior, which inherits the sharing modifier from its calling class dynamically, allowing for more flexible sharing enforcement based on the context in which the code is executed.
26. When should we bypass sharing and FLS within our code?
It’s crucial to bypass sharing and Field-Level Security (FLS) within our code only in specific scenarios, such as when running system-level processes. When bypassing these security measures for user operations, it’s essential to ensure that there is no chance of unintended data access or actions being performed. One approach to mitigate risks is to segregate the specific actions that require bypassing security into separate classes, while enforcing sharing and FLS for the remaining logic. This targeted approach allows us to maintain security for the majority of our business logic while selectively bypassing it for specific actions when necessary. It’s crucial to avoid bypassing security measures for an entire set of business logic, as this could lead to significant security vulnerabilities and data integrity issues.
27. How can we secure dynamic SOQL?
When executing dynamic SOQL queries with user input, it’s crucial to sanitize the input to prevent potential injection attacks. One method is to escape all single quotes in the user input before incorporating it into the query. Additionally, whenever feasible, it’s recommended to use bind variables even in dynamic SOQL queries. By using bind variables, Salesforce handles the necessary escaping and ensures the query’s security and integrity, reducing the risk of injection vulnerabilities.
Id myAccountId;
List<SObject> queryResults = Database.query('SELECT Id FROM Account WHERE Id = :myAccountId');
CONFIGURURABLE DEVELOPMENT
28. What is a roll-up summary field?
A roll-up summary field is a special type of field in Salesforce that exists on the master side of a master-detail relationship. These fields automatically calculate their values based on an aggregate of related records on the detail side of the relationship. The aggregation can involve various operations, such as counting the number of related records or summing up the values of a specific field on those records. Roll-up summary fields eliminate the need for custom Apex code when performing calculations or aggregations across related records, providing a convenient and efficient way to display summarized data within Salesforce.
29. What are Custom Metadata Types and why would we use them?
Custom Metadata Types are developer-created metadata structures that enable the creation of customizable applications within a Salesforce instance. Similar to custom objects, Custom Metadata Types are designed by developers to define metadata models, which can then be instantiated as records to configure the behavior of an application at runtime. These records can store various configurations, such as field mappings between objects or secrets for API integrations. By leveraging Custom Metadata Types, developers can build flexible and configurable solutions that meet specific business requirements without the need for code changes or deployment.
30. What is dynamic Apex?
Dynamic Apex is an approach that enhances the flexibility of our code by enabling dynamic access to sObjects and fields, rather than relying on static references. This technique involves using sObject tokens and describes to dynamically access and manipulate sObject field values within our code. Dynamic Apex can also be combined with dynamic SOQL to construct queries based on runtime conditions, allowing for more adaptable and dynamic behavior compared to static implementations.
public class DynamicApex {
public static void createRecord(Schema.SObjectType objectType, Map<String, Object> fields) {
SObject record = objectType.newSObject();
for (String field : fields.keySet()) {
record.put(field, fields.get(field));
}
insert record;
}
}
Summary
These Salesforce Developer interview questions provide a glimpse into the types of inquiries you may encounter in a technical interview. However, it’s essential to recognize that every interviewer has their unique style and may pose different questions. Approach each interview with an open mind, prepared to showcase your technical expertise. Remember, honesty about your knowledge and a willingness to learn are key attributes of 30 Salesforce Developer Interview Questions.
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