Essential Dos and Don'ts for New Salesforce Developers

Embarking on a career as a Salesforce Developer can be an exciting journey filled with opportunities for impactful work. Salesforce dominates the customer relationship management (CRM) landscape, and being proficient in development on this platform is a valuable skill in the tech industry today. However, transitioning into a new role requires knowledge and preparation. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the essential dos and don'ts that every new Salesforce Developer should follow to pave their way to success.

Table of Contents

• Do: Get Familiar with the Basics
• Don't: Ignore Salesforce Trailhead
• Do: Focus on Understanding Object-Oriented Programming
• Don't: Undervalue the Power of DML Statements
• Do: Leverage the Salesforce Community
• Don't: Disregard Testing and Debugging
• Do: Prioritize Security Best Practices
• Conclusion

Do: Get Familiar with the Basics

Before diving headfirst into Salesforce development, it's crucial to understand the platform's fundamental concepts. Salesforce is a vast environment with various technical components like Apex, Visualforce, Lightning, and SOQL. As a new developer, you should:

• Understand the Salesforce Data Model: Get acquainted with the architecture of Salesforce, including objects, fields, and relationships. This knowledge is foundational for efficient data handling and application building.
• Learn Apex and Basic Programming: Apex is Salesforce's proprietary programming language similar to Java. Understanding its syntax and applications will be essential in creating robust back-end solutions.
• Grasp Lightning Components: With the transition from Classic to Lightning, knowing how to build components in Lightning is key to developing dynamic, user-friendly interfaces.

Don't: Ignore Salesforce Trailhead

Salesforce Trailhead is an invaluable tool for developers. It's an interactive learning platform developed by Salesforce that offers hands-on guidance and a structured learning path for all experience levels. Ignoring this resource is a common mistake that can narrow a developer’s understanding and skill set. Use Trailhead to:

• Earn Badges: Completing modules and projects earns you badges, showcasing your competencies to potential employers.
• Stay Updated: Salesforce is continuously evolving. Trailhead helps you keep abreast with the latest updates and features.
• Network: Join the Trailblazer Community to engage with peers and access communal knowledge.

Do: Focus on Understanding Object-Oriented Programming

Salesforce's Apex is an object-oriented language. A solid grounding in object-oriented programming (OOP) principles is vital for developing efficient, scalable applications. Concepts such as classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation should be second nature. This understanding will not only aid in writing concise code but also in effectively utilizing Salesforce's procedural elements.

Don't: Undervalue the Power of DML Statements

Data Manipulation Language (DML) statements are central to interacting with Salesforce data. Mastery of these commands—such as insert, update, delete, and undelete—is essential for managing database operations efficiently. Underappreciating these tools can result in poorly optimized code that burdens the system, leading to longer execution times and increased resource consumption.

Do: Leverage the Salesforce Community

One of the strengths of the Salesforce ecosystem is its vibrant, welcoming community ready to support its members. Utilize this community to:

• Seek Advice: Engage on forums such as the Salesforce Developer Community for guidance from experienced developers.
• Attend User Groups and Meetups: These events provide opportunities to learn from others and discuss the latest Salesforce trends and challenges.
• Contribute: Share your thoughts and solutions to contribute back to the community.

Don't: Disregard Testing and Debugging

Testing and debugging are non-negotiable when it comes to developing resilient Salesforce applications. As a developer, you must rigorously assess your code to ensure its reliability and function. Neglecting these processes can lead to significant technical debt and functionality issues. Always:

• Write Test Classes: Salesforce requires that at least 75% of your code is tested before deployment. This practice ensures robustness and catch errors early.
• Utilize Developer Console and Debug Logs: Use these Salesforce tools for code introspection and to trace logical errors within your code efficiently.

Do: Prioritize Security Best Practices

Security is paramount in handling customer data on Salesforce. As a developer, you must prioritize implementing security protocols throughout your code to prevent vulnerabilities. Consider these best practices:

• Ensure CRUD and FLS Protection: Always enforce CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) and Field-Level Security (FLS) checks in your Apex to ensure compliance with user permissions.
• Use With Sharing Keyword: Protect sensitive data by always using the 'with sharing' keyword in your Apex classes to respect the organization's sharing rules.

Conclusion

Being a new Salesforce Developer presents an array of challenges and learning opportunities. Embracing these essential dos and don'ts will guide you through a successful transition into your role. By focusing on continuous learning and community engagement, you can enhance your development skills, ultimately establishing yourself as a proficient Salesforce Developer.