Are you preparing for a job interview in the field of Salesforce Apex? Do you want to make sure you’re fully prepared to answer any questions that may come your way? Look no further! In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive list of Salesforce Apex interview questions that will help you stand out from the competition and land your dream job.
What is Salesforce Apex?
Salesforce Apex is a programming language used to develop custom functionality on the Salesforce platform. It is an object-oriented programming language similar to Java and allows developers to write code that can be executed on the Salesforce servers. Apex code is used to create triggers, classes, and web services that can be integrated with other applications.
Now that we have a basic understanding of Salesforce Apex, let’s dive into some common interview questions that you may encounter during your job search.
15 Common Interview Questions for Salesforce Apex
1. What is the difference between Apex triggers and Apex classes?
Apex triggers are pieces of code that are executed before or after specific events occur, such as record insertion, deletion, or update. They are used to perform custom actions and automate processes. Apex classes, on the other hand, are used to define custom logic and business rules. They can be invoked by triggers or other classes to perform specific tasks.
2. How do you handle exceptions in Apex?
In Apex, exceptions can be handled using try-catch blocks. The code that may throw an exception is placed within the try block, and any exceptions that occur are caught and handled in the catch block. This allows developers to gracefully handle errors and take appropriate actions.
3. What is the difference between Apex sharing and Apex security?
Apex sharing and Apex security are two different mechanisms used in Salesforce to control access to data. Apex sharing allows you to extend the sharing settings of objects to provide access to records that would not normally be accessible to a user. Apex security, on the other hand, focuses on enforcing security at the code level by defining the access levels for different classes and methods.
4. How do you handle governor limits in Apex?
Governor limits in Apex are the limits set by Salesforce to prevent resource abuse and ensure the efficient use of its multi-tenant environment. To handle governor limits, developers need to write efficient code, avoid unnecessary queries and loops, and make use of batch processing and asynchronous operations when dealing with large data sets.
5. What are the different types of collections in Apex?
Apex supports three types of collections: lists, sets, and maps. Lists are ordered collections of elements, sets are unordered collections of unique elements, and maps are key-value pairs where each key is associated with a value. These collections provide a convenient way to store and manipulate data in Apex.
6. What is the difference between a before trigger and an after trigger?
A before trigger is executed before the record is saved to the database, allowing developers to modify the record or perform validations before it is saved. An after trigger, on the other hand, is executed after the record is saved to the database. After triggers are typically used to perform additional actions or create related records.
7. How do you schedule Apex jobs?
Apex jobs can be scheduled using the Apex Scheduler. The Scheduler allows developers to specify the time and frequency at which a piece of Apex code should be executed. This is useful for automating tasks and performing batch operations at specific intervals.
8. What is the difference between a controller and an extension in Apex?
A controller in Apex is used to define the behavior of a Visualforce page. It provides the logic and data required to render the page and interact with the user. An extension, on the other hand, is used to extend the functionality of a standard or custom controller. It allows developers to add additional methods and variables to the controller to meet specific requirements.
9. How do you perform unit testing in Apex?
Unit testing in Apex is performed using the Apex testing framework. Developers can write test methods to validate the behavior of their code and ensure that it meets the desired requirements. Test methods simulate real-world scenarios and verify that the code behaves as expected.
10. What is the difference between a trigger.new and a trigger.old?
The trigger.new and trigger.old variables are used in Apex triggers to access the new and old versions of a record. The trigger.new variable contains the updated or inserted record, while the trigger.old variable contains the original record values. These variables can be used to compare values and perform actions based on the changes made to a record.
11. How do you call a future method in Apex?
A future method in Apex is used to perform long-running operations asynchronously. To call a future method, you simply need to annotate the method with the @future annotation and pass the required parameters. The future method will be executed in a separate thread, allowing the calling code to continue executing without waiting for the result.
12. How do you perform a SOQL query in Apex?
A SOQL (Salesforce Object Query Language) query in Apex is used to retrieve records from the Salesforce database. It is similar to SQL and allows developers to specify the fields to retrieve, the object to query, and any filters or conditions to apply. SOQL queries can be written directly in Apex code or using the Query Builder in the Developer Console.
13. What is the difference between a map and a set in Apex?
A map in Apex is a collection of key-value pairs, where each key is associated with a value. Maps allow developers to store and retrieve data based on a unique identifier. A set, on the other hand, is an unordered collection of unique elements. Sets are useful when you want to store a collection of values without any duplicates.
14. How do you call a REST web service in Apex?
To call a REST web service in Apex, you can use the HTTP classes provided by Salesforce. These classes allow you to make HTTP requests, such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE, to external web services. You can also handle the response and parse the returned data using JSON or XML parsers.
15. How do you deploy Apex code from one Salesforce org to another?
Apex code can be deployed from one Salesforce org to another using the Salesforce Metadata API. The Metadata API allows developers to retrieve and deploy metadata components, including Apex classes, triggers, and Visualforce pages. It provides a convenient way to migrate code and configurations between different orgs.
Tips for a Successful Salesforce Apex Interview
- Research the company: Before your interview, make sure you research the company and understand its products, services, and values. This will help you tailor your answers to align with the company’s needs.
- Review your Apex knowledge: Take the time to review your Apex knowledge and make sure you’re comfortable with the basics. Brush up on key concepts, such as triggers, classes, and collections, and be prepared to explain them in simple terms.
- Practice coding: Practice coding in Apex to sharpen your skills. Solve coding challenges and familiarize yourself with common patterns and best practices. This will help you demonstrate your coding abilities during the interview.
- Prepare examples: Think about specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your expertise in Apex. Prepare stories that showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to work with complex code.
- Ask questions: Don’t forget to ask questions during the interview. This shows your interest in the role and allows you to gather more information about the company and the team you’ll be working with.
- Stay calm and confident: Lastly, stay calm and confident during the interview. Take deep breaths, maintain good posture, and speak clearly. Remember, the interviewer is looking for someone who not only knows their stuff but also has the right attitude and demeanor.
Conclusion
Preparing for a Salesforce Apex interview can be daunting, but with the right knowledge and practice, you can ace it. By familiarizing yourself with common interview questions and tips for success, you’ll be well-prepared to showcase your skills and land your dream job. Good luck!
