How can we take someone who has never written a single line of Apex and turn this person into a Salesforce Developer in just 60 days? In this guide, I’ll tell you everything I know about becoming a Salesforce Developer that I learned from years of teaching coding. In the last years, I taught coding to 3000+ people through my courses and over 50 people 1:1.
Some of them went from zero to taking their first developer tasks on the job within 60 days. And in the guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know about it and how you can repeat my system.
Before we even start – let’s speak about what you need to have in order to become a Salesforce Developer. You don’t have to be a senior-level expert, but you need to understand Salesforce quite well. Typically, this path is best suited for those at least at a mid-level of experience or higher.Junior-level admins may find it challenging. But if you have enough motivation – your experience level doesn’t matter 😉
The “beginner phase” is often the toughest part. This phase can last up to eight months. With the right support and resources, you can progress more quickly and learn Apex way faster.
First Month
Basic coding concepts like variables and loops are essential in programming. But at first they seem very abstract. Since we don’t see variables in everyday life, they are hard to understand. Grasping these theoretical ideas is key to success in Salesforce development.
If you’re an experienced admin or consultant with a background in flows, you have a head start. Flows may not be as complex as other programming languages, but they are just like programming languages. Flow is basically a visual programming language.
New developers often make the mistake of rushing through the basics. There’s a temptation to skip foundational topics like variables and loops, but this can slow your progress in the long run. Taking the time to understand each concept thoroughly will benefit you at every step.
If you take time to learn those concepts, you’ll move faster through all other steps.
Additionally, you should avoid object-oriented programming (OOP) right away. It’s coming from Java world, where a lot of stuff is object-oriented. Instead, Apex has more of linear development patterns that can automate business and make it more practical for real-world Salesforce applications.
In the first month, learn following concepts:
Without learning these concepts, you won’t be able to apply them in more advanced topics like triggers.
Maps are especially helpful for writing triggers, helping you to track record changes, such as updates.
Second Month
SOQL is another essential tool in Apex. You’ll need to know how to use records effectively. Although learning SOQL itself can be quick, applying it in Apex takes practice and see how it interacts with other elements, like maps and DML operations.
Mastering these concepts during a few months will help deeper understand Salesforce development.
Learning maps for writing triggers is important, but you need to understand lists and sets first. Begin with these simpler topics. Maps are a bit more complex, but they’re not too hard to understand.
Maps also help to track changes in records, like changing status from prospecting to closed. They are simple to learn. We usually cover it in one lesson, which is quite enough.
Next, you need to understand SOQL queries and how to use them in Apex to manipulate data. Although SOQL is straightforward and can be learned quickly, it’s crucial for handling data in Apex.
For beginners, it’s all about learning the basics first, then moving to more complex applications like triggers. Triggers are not so difficult, but real-world applications require understanding advanced concepts like trigger handlers and frameworks.
Learning the process involves starting with simple triggers, progressing to complex applications, and integrating different elements like SOQL, DML and eventually leading to integrations and LWC. Each step builds on the previous one, making it easier as you go along.
Understanding these concepts allows you to progress to being capable of handling full-time Salesforce development. This journey includes learning basic to advanced topics, applying them practically, and preparing for certifications like PD1 and PD2, which showcase your skills as a developer.
In summary, start with the basics, gradually tackle more complex topics, and apply what you’ve learned to real-world scenarios. This approach helps you become a proficient Salesforce developer capable of handling various development tasks and integrations.