Salesforce Developer Interview Questions and Answers 2024

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, Salesforce remains a cornerstone for over 150,000 companies worldwide, streamlining customer relationship management and driving digital transformation. As the platform grows, so does the demand for skilled developers who can navigate its complexities and unlock its full potential. 

This blog serves as an indispensable resource for both aspiring and seasoned Salesforce developers. Here, you will find a comprehensive compilation of crucial questions and answers covering a wide array of topics from cloud architecture to advanced Apex coding. 

Whether you’re preparing for an interview, looking to enhance your development skills, or simply aiming to understand the latest features in Salesforce, this guide provides the insights you need to excel in the Salesforce ecosystem. Let’s get started!

Salesforce Developer Questions and Answers

1. What distinguishes the public cloud from the private cloud?

Public Cloud: It provides services over the Internet with limited control over the underlying infrastructure. Multiple users share the same resources in this environment.

Private Cloud: In contrast, the private cloud also offers services over a company intranet or hosted datacenter. It ensures higher security standards and is dedicated solely to the organization or enterprise.

2. Explain `apex:pageMessages` vs. `apex:pageMessage`.

   – `apex:pageMessages`: Displays all messages for a page.

   – `apex:pageMessage`: Displays a single custom message.

apex:pageMessages displays multiple messages on a page, including Salesforce-generated errors and custom messages from controllers. It’s essential for comprehensive error handling. On the other hand, apex:pageMessage shows individual static messages directly on the page, useful for specific notifications. Both components play vital roles in communicating with users on Visualforce pages.

3. List aggregate functions supported by Salesforce SOQL.

In Salesforce SOQL, we have several aggregate functions to perform calculations on data:

1. COUNT(): Counts the number of records returned by a query. Example: SELECT COUNT(Id) FROM Account.
2. SUM(): Calculates the sum of numeric values in a field. Example: SELECT SUM(Amount) FROM Opportunity.
3. AVG(): Computes the average of numeric values in a field. Example: SELECT AVG(Amount) FROM Opportunity.
4. MIN(): Retrieves the minimum value of a field. Example: SELECT MIN(CloseDate) FROM Opportunity.
5. MAX(): Retrieves the maximum value of a field. Example: SELECT MAX(CloseDate) FROM Opportunity.
6. COUNT_DISTINCT(): Counts the number of distinct, non-null values in a field. Example: SELECT COUNT_DISTINCT(StageName) FROM Opportunity.

These functions help in summarizing and analyzing data effectively in Salesforce.

4. Can you explain the difference between Queueable Apex, Batch Apex, and Schedulable Apex in Salesforce?

Queueable Apex is used for asynchronous processing, Batch Apex is designed for handling large datasets efficiently, and Schedulable Apex allows for the scheduling of processes to run at specified times. Each serves a distinct purpose in handling asynchronous operations within Salesforce.

5. What are groups in Salesforce and their purpose?

Groups: Collections of users for easier sharing and collaboration.

Uses: Share records, set default sharing rules, and assign actions in Salesforce Knowledge.

Also Read – Tavant Salesforce Developer Interview Questions & Answers 2024

6. What is the syntax for creating a scheduler class in Salesforce?

 To create a scheduler class in Salesforce:

global class YourSchedulerClassName implements Schedulable {

    global void execute(SchedulableContext sc) {

        // Insert your business logic here

    }

}

7. What is an Apex Trigger?

An Apex Trigger is a piece of code in Salesforce that executes before or after specific database operations such as insert, update, delete, or merge. These triggers are used to perform custom actions and ensure data integrity by automating processes that need to occur whenever records are modified.  

Here’s a simple example of an Apex Trigger:

trigger AccountTrigger on Account (before insert, after update) {

    if (Trigger.isBefore) {

        // Code to execute before inserting an Account

    } else if (Trigger.isAfter) {

        // Code to execute after updating an Account

    }

}

8. How do you schedule a data export in Salesforce?

To schedule a data export in Salesforce, follow these steps:

1. Go to Setup > Data Management > Data Export > Schedule Export.
2. Select the data sets to export, determine the frequency of exports (weekly or monthly), choose the start date, and set the preferred time.
3. Click Save to confirm and schedule your export.

This setup ensures consistent data backups for compliance and analysis.

9. How can you import attachments into Salesforce using Data Loader?

To import attachments into Salesforce with Data Loader, execute the following:

1. Create a CSV file named AttachmentList.csv that includes necessary fields such as ParentId, Name, Body, and ContentType.
2. Launch Data Loader, select the Insert operation, and choose the Attachment object.
3. Upload your CSV file and map its columns to the corresponding Salesforce fields.
4. Run the operation to import the attachments.

10. What are the differences between a custom controller and a controller extension in Salesforce?

• Custom Controller: This is an Apex class that provides all the logic for a Visualforce page independently of Salesforce’s standard controllers, offering full control over the page’s functionality.
• Controller Extension: An extension that adds to the functionality of an existing standard or custom controller by introducing additional methods and properties.

These tools are vital for tailoring the behavior of Visualforce pages according to specific business requirements.

11. What do the ‘with sharing’ and ‘without sharing’ keywords mean in Salesforce?

• With Sharing: When used in an Apex class, the with sharing keyword enforces the sharing rules that apply to the current user, ensuring that users can only access data they are authorized to view.
• Without Sharing: Conversely, the without sharing keyword allows the class to operate without regard to the specific sharing rules that might restrict the current user’s data access, useful in situations requiring broad data visibility.

Understanding and applying these keywords correctly is essential for maintaining data security and proper access controls within Salesforce applications.

12. What are email services in Salesforce?

Email services in Salesforce are automated processes that use Apex classes to handle incoming emails. They allow you to define custom logic for processing emails and performing actions based on their content. You can associate Salesforce-generated email addresses with Apex classes, triggering them to execute when an email is sent to those addresses. This feature is useful for tasks like creating custom email-to-case solutions or integrating external systems with Salesforce via email.

13. What is a Wrapper Class in Apex and how is it used?

A Wrapper Class in Apex is a custom class that encapsulates multiple objects or different data types into a single unit. This is particularly useful when you need to handle multiple related objects on a Visualforce page or in an Apex method. Here is an example:

public class Wrapper {

    public Account acc;

    public Contact con;

}

In this example, the Wrapper class holds instances of both an Account and a Contact, allowing for streamlined management of related data within a single object.

14. How do you perform a hard delete on a record using Apex code?

To perform a hard delete using Apex code, which permanently removes records from the database instead of moving them to the Recycle Bin, use the following syntax:

Account accToDelete = [SELECT Id FROM Account WHERE Name = ‘AccountNameToDelete’ LIMIT 1];

delete accToDelete;

This example retrieves an account by name and deletes it from the database immediately. It is crucial to use hard deletes judiciously because the deleted data cannot be recovered.

15. What are Class Constructors in Apex and can you provide an example?

A class constructor in Apex is a special block of code that initializes a new object of a class. It is called when an instance of the class is created. Here is an example with a Car class:

public class Car {

    public String make;

    public String model;

    public Integer year;

    public Car(String carMake, String carModel, Integer carYear) {

        make = carMake;

        model = carModel;

        year = carYear;

    }

}

Using new Car(‘Toyota’, ‘Camry’, 2020), the constructor initializes a new Car object with the specified make, model, and year.

Also Read – Deloitte Salesforce Developer Interview Questions & Answers 2024

16. What does the ‘final’ keyword signify in Apex?

In Apex, the final keyword has several applications:

• final variable: Declares a variable that cannot be changed once it is initialized.
• final method: Prevents a method from being overridden in a subclass.
• final class: Prevents a class from being extended.

The use of final ensures that certain components of your code remain unchanged and secure throughout their lifecycle.

17. How can you prevent a user from accessing a record despite having permissions?

To restrict access to a record even if a user has permissions, consider implementing the without sharing keyword on Apex classes to bypass standard sharing rules. Additionally, access can be managed through careful configuration of roles and groups, tailoring visibility and edit rights according to organizational requirements.

18. How do you send an email with an attachment using Apex in Salesforce?

To send an email with an attachment in Salesforce using Apex, follow these steps:

1. Create a Messaging.SingleEmailMessage object to start composing your email.
2. Set the email properties such as the subject, body, and recipient address.
3. Create a Messaging.EmailFileAttachment object for your attachment, specifying details like the file name and content in bytes.
4. Attach the file to the email by calling the setFileAttachments() method on your email object.
5. Send the email using Messaging.sendEmail() and verify the results to ensure successful delivery.

This method enables you to programmatically handle email communications with attachments directly from your Apex code, enhancing automation capabilities within Salesforce.

19. What are Skinny Tables in Salesforce?

Skinny Tables are custom tables in Salesforce designed to improve performance for large datasets. They streamline query operations by maintaining a separate, read-only copy of selected fields from standard or custom objects in a single table. This structure reduces the number of joins needed in queries and can significantly enhance the speed of data retrieval, especially in complex query scenarios.

20. What are the best practices for deploying code to production in Salesforce?

When deploying code to production in Salesforce, follow these best practices:

• Develop in Sandboxes: Always use development or test sandboxes for building and testing changes to isolate your production environment from potential disruptions.
• Use Version Control: Implement a version control system to track changes, collaborate with team members, and roll back if necessary.
• Ensure Adequate Test Coverage: Salesforce requires at least 75% test coverage for code deployment to production, but aiming for higher coverage can improve code quality and reliability.
• Utilize Change Sets or Automation Tools: Deploy changes using change sets, or automate deployments with tools like Salesforce DX for more complex setups.

These practices help ensure a smooth, safe transition of code from development to production, minimizing risks and enhancing stability.

21. What are the main types of triggers in Salesforce, and how do they differ?

In Salesforce, there are two main types of triggers:

• Before Triggers: Execute before the associated record is saved to the database. They are typically used for validating or modifying incoming data before it’s written to the database.
• After Triggers: Execute after the record has been saved. They are useful for operations that require record IDs or involve related records, such as updating related objects or integrating with external systems.

Understanding the correct usage of each type of trigger is crucial for effective data management and automation within Salesforce.

Also Read – Top 50 Salesforce Platform Developer 1 Interview Questions

22. How can you handle governor limits in Salesforce?

To manage governor limits in Salesforce effectively:

• Optimize Code for Bulk Operations: Ensure that your Apex code can handle large data volumes by using bulkified patterns.
• Query Efficiently: Minimize the number of SOQL queries and optimize query logic to reduce the load on system resources.
• Use Asynchronous Processing: Leverage asynchronous processes like future methods, batch Apex, and Queueable Apex to spread out the workload and avoid hitting governor limits.

Adhering to these strategies helps maintain the performance and scalability of your Salesforce applications.

23. What is the use of the Future Annotation (@future) in Apex?

The @future annotation in Apex marks methods that run asynchronously, allowing them to operate in a separate process from standard synchronous Apex code. This is particularly useful for handling longer operations, integrating with external systems, or performing actions that might otherwise exceed governor limits in synchronous processing.

24. What is the difference between Role and Profile in Salesforce?

In Salesforce, the distinction between Roles and Profiles is foundational for understanding access control:

• Profile: Defines what a user can do by setting permissions on objects, fields, and data records. Profiles control the visibility of the Salesforce UI and the ability to create, view, modify, or delete records.
• Role: Affects record-level access through the sharing model. Roles determine what records a user can see, often governed by the organization’s hierarchy or sharing rules.

Both Roles and Profiles are crucial for enforcing security and ensuring that users have appropriate access to the organization’s data.

25. Explain Governor Limits in Salesforce.

Governor limits in Salesforce are restrictions imposed on Apex code execution to ensure fair resource allocation and prevent monopolization of shared resources. These limits include constraints on the number of database operations, CPU usage, memory consumption, and other aspects of code execution. 

They help maintain the stability and performance of the Salesforce platform by preventing individual transactions or processes from consuming excessive resources. Adhering to these limits is crucial for building efficient and scalable applications on the Salesforce platform.

Enroll in our Salesforce Developer Course today and pass your certification exam on the first try! 

Summing Up

As you continue to navigate the complexities of Salesforce, remember that the journey to mastery is ongoing. The questions and answers discussed here are just the beginning. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills for an upcoming interview, delve deeper into Salesforce functionalities, or stay ahead of the curve with the latest updates, continual learning is key.

Ready to take your Salesforce expertise to the next level? Join saasguru today and start your free trial! With access to over 30 Salesforce Certification Courses, more than 50 Mock Exams, and over 50 Salesforce Labs for hands-on learning, saasguru is your gateway to becoming a Salesforce pro. 

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