A Salesforce developer is responsible for the development, configuration, and deployment of Salesforce applications. They work with clients to understand their needs and requirements, and then design and implement solutions that address those needs. In addition to working with clients, Salesforce developers also work closely with other members of the Salesforce team, such as sales engineers, product managers, and support staff.
Salesforce, the cloud-based business automation platform, is on track to reach a $21.3 billion net worth by 2022, according to a report from Forbes. This would make it one of the largest cloud businesses in the world. In addition to its strong performance in the enterprise space, Salesforce also enjoys widespread popularity among small businesses and individual entrepreneurs.
Key responsibilities of a Salesforce developer include:
Assist in the definition of project scope and objectives, and contribute to the development of project plans:
Work with clients to understand their needs and requirements, and design and implement solutions that address those needs.
Contribute to the development of project plans, including the identification of milestones, tasks, and deliverables.
Develop Salesforce applications using Apex code, Visualforce pages, Lightning components, and other Salesforce technologies:
Write Apex code to develop custom business logic for Salesforce applications.
Create Visualforce pages to build custom user interfaces for Salesforce applications.
Develop Lightning components to add new features and functionality to Salesforce applications.
Deploy Salesforce applications to production environments:
Write unit tests to ensure that code meets requirements and does not cause any negative impact on production environments.
Manage the process of deploying code from development environments to production environments.
Provide support and maintenance for deployed Salesforce applications:
Monitor application usage and performance in production environments.
Identify and resolve issues that occur in production environments.
Provide support to users of Salesforce applications.
Perform regular maintenance tasks, such as creating backups and running data integrity checks.
The skills and knowledge required to perform the duties of a Salesforce developer vary depending on the specific position. However, there are some core skills and knowledge that are necessary for all Salesforce developers. These include:
In-depth knowledge of the Salesforce platform:
Salesforce developers must have a deep understanding of how the Salesforce platform works. They should be able to navigate the various Salesforce applications and understand how data is stored and accessed within each one. In addition, they should be familiar with the different features and functions of the Salesforce platform, and how to use them to develop applications.
Apex programming:
Salesforce developers must be able to write Apex code to develop custom business logic for Salesforce applications. They should be familiar with the Apex programming language and the Salesforce API. In addition, they should be able to use Apex to integrate Salesforce applications with other systems.
Visualforce:
Salesforce developers must be able to create Visualforce pages to build custom user interfaces for Salesforce applications. They should be familiar with the Visualforce markup language and the Salesforce API. In addition, they should be able to use Visualforce to integrate Salesforce applications with other systems.
Lightning components:
Salesforce developers must be able to develop Lightning components to add new features and functionality to Salesforce applications. They should be familiar with the Lightning Component Framework and the Salesforce API. In addition, they should be able to use Lightning components to integrate Salesforce applications with other systems.
Salesforce deployments:
Salesforce developers must be able to deploy Salesforce applications to production environments. They should be familiar with the various deployment methods and tools, and should be able to choose the appropriate method and tool for each situation. In addition, they should be able to troubleshoot deployment issues and resolve them in a timely manner.
Application support and maintenance:
Salesforce developers must be able to provide support and maintenance for deployed Salesforce applications. They should be familiar with the various support and maintenance tasks, and should be able to perform them in a timely manner. In addition, they should be able to identify and resolve issues that occur in production environments.
Attributes:
A successful Salesforce developer must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. They must be able to work independently as well as part of a team. In addition, they should have strong problem-solving skills and be able to think creatively to come up with solutions that meet the needs of their clients. Furthermore, they should have a good understanding of the Salesforce platform and be able to keep up with new features and releases. Finally, they should have a strong desire to learn and stay current on new technologies.
Conclusion:
Salesforce developers play a vital role in developing and deploying Salesforce applications. They must have a deep understanding of the Salesforce platform and be able to write Apex code, create Visualforce pages, and develop Lightning components. In addition, they should be familiar with the various deployment methods and tools, and be able to provide support and maintenance for deployed Salesforce applications. Furthermore, they should have excellent communication skills and be able to work independently as well as part of a team. Finally, they should have a strong desire to learn and stay current on new technologies.
