Tools for Writing Code in APEX

Salesforce provides various tools for all phases of app development. These tools collectively enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Apex development, providing multiple options tailored to different stages and aspects of the development lifecycle.

Discover the Various tools for writing Code in Apex.

1. Salesforce Extensions for Visual Studio Code

The VS Code editor (with the Salesforce CLI and Salesforce Extensions Pack (expanded)  installed) is lightweight and extensible. The Salesforce Extension Pack includes tools such as syntax highlighting and code completion, as well as integrated tools for working with Salesforce metadata.

This tool provides features for working with development organisations (scratch orgs, sandboxes, and DE orgs), Apex, Aura components, LWC components, and Visualforce. Additionally, it supports Salesforce DX projects, including source control and continuous integration.

2. Code Builder

Code builder is a web-based development environment built on the Visual Studio Code editor, accessible directly within Salesforce. No local setup is required, as it runs entirely in the cloud.

It provides the same functionality as Salesforce Extensions for VS Code. The Salesforce code builder is Ideal for development on the go or quick edits without leaving the platform.

2. Code Builder

Code builder is a web-based development environment built on the Visual Studio Code editor, accessible directly within Salesforce. No local setup is required, as it runs entirely in the cloud.

It provides the same functionality as Salesforce Extensions for VS Code. The Salesforce code builder is Ideal for development on the go or quick edits without leaving the platform.

3. Salesforce CLI

Salesforce CLI is a powerful command-line Apex tool for interacting with Salesforce orgs, managing metadata, and automating processes. It allows you to easily create and manage Salesforce DX projects. It also helps you retrieve, deploy, and manipulate metadata while enabling you to execute anonymous Apex, run tests, and access logs.

4. Developer Console

The developer console is an integrated development environment that includes tools for writing, debugging, and testing Apex code in Salesforce.org. It can be opened by clicking on the Developer Console in the gear icon. In this, Apex classes, Apex triggers, Aura, and Visualforce can be coded. It is one of the ideal tools used for apex coding for beginners. 

5. Code Editor

The Salesforce inline Setup editor compiles all classes (in setup, Apex Classes) and triggers (in setup, Apex Triggers), then flags any errors. It contains general-purpose text editors that support code editing, such as Sublime Text, Atom, or Notepad++. It is lightweight and quick for minor edits. However, it typically requires manual deployment and retrieval of Code via other tools.

6. DevOps Center

DevOps Center is a Salesforce tool that helps manage and deploy changes across different environments, promoting better DevOps practices. It includes version control integration, automated deployment pipelines, change tracking, and environment management to facilitate a swifter process.

7. Apex Test Execution

Apex Test Execution contains Apex tools and features within Salesforce for running and managing Apex tests. You can run individual or bulk test classes, view test results and code coverage metrics, identify and fix issues with detailed error messages and logs, and more.

8. Change Sets

Change sets are a native Salesforce tool for deploying changes between related Salesforce orgs (e.g., from sandbox to production). You can easily manage deployment dependencies thanks to its simple UI for selecting components and tracking deployments.

Note:

The Code isn’t saved until it compiles(without errors). The developer console allows you to write, test, and debug our Apex code. On the other hand, the code editor in the user interface only enables writing the code and does not support debugging or testing.