SALESFORCE API NAMES EXTENSION
When working with Salesforce, there is an array of APIs that can be used to extend the functionality of the platform. From release management to data backup and recovery, and security solutions, each API plays an important role in ensuring businesses get the most out of their Salesforce instance. For those looking to take advantage of the different APIs available, the best way to begin is to learn about the different API names and what they can do. The Salesforce APIs typically fall into five main categories: Tooling, Metadata, SOAP, Bulk, and REST. Tooling APIs are primarily used to create, manage, and delete components of Salesforce such as objects, Apex triggers, fields, classes, and more. Metadata APIs help with creating and managing fully customizable assets in Salesforce. SOAP APIs have been available since the launch of Salesforce, and this type of API provides an interface to control Salesforce data and access REST APIs. Bulk APIs provide an interface to load, query, and delete large numbers of records quickly and efficiently. Finally, REST APIs provide an interface to query Salesforce data from outside of the platform. In addition to the five main categories, there are also other APIs (such as Chatter, Streaming, and Apex) that are more specialized. Chatter APIs enable applications to interact with Chatter, the social networking component of Salesforce. Streaming APIs emit notifications to clients connected to the system when data is modified within Salesforce. And Apex APIs are used with Apex, a Java-like programming language used to customize Salesforce. Each API name explicitly tells us the function and capabilities an API provides. For example, Tooling API names like CustomObjectTranslation, CustomMetadata, and SessionLayout end with respective “Translation”, “Metadata”, and “Layout” suffixes indicating what type of information is accessible from the API. When selecting the right APIs for a Salesforce project, it’s important for the enterprise user to assess their business needs and evaluate the capabilities the different APIs provide. For example, a business looking to build customizations in Salesforce via Apex code would have to make use of Tooling API, as well as Streaming API to notify users when data is modified or revealed. In other cases, a business may require an API to communicate with external data sources. A great solution for this is REST API, which allows users to securely interact with third-party APIs in a native cloud environment. Salesforce APIs are powerful tools and can dramatically improve the user experience in the platform. Whether you’re looking for release management, data backup, or security solutions, it’s crucial to understand the API names and functions offered in Salesforce. This way, you can better assess your business needs and choose the best API for your organization.
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