How to Become a Salesforce Developer: A Comprehensive Guide to Your Development Journey
Becoming a Salesforce developer can be a daunting task, especially with all the different programming languages and resources out there. But don't worry, in this blog post, we will guide you on a more focused path on what you should be studying to become a Salesforce developer. Let's get started!
Starting with the Basics: Apex and Web-based Languages
Being in the Salesforce ecosystem makes it easier for everyone to begin their development journey with Apex. Apex is a strongly typed language and is very similar to Java. If you know a bit of Java, you're already on your way to learning Apex. However, Apex isn't the only thing you should be focusing on. You'll also want to brush up on your JavaScript, HTML, and CSS as these are essential for building beautiful user interfaces in the Lightning Web Component and Aura Component side of things.
Foundational Building Blocks of Programming
As you learn Apex, be sure to get a grasp on the following foundational building blocks:
Variables: These are essential for holding information in your code.
Manipulating Variables: This includes addition, subtraction, concatenation, and more.
Loops: A crucial tool for systematically replaying lines of code.
Functions: This help breaks up code into smaller, more sensible chunks.
Don't forget that programming is an entire field of study, and you must also focus on computer science (CS) aspects while learning Apex.
Finding the Right Learning Resources
There are countless learning resources available for programmings, such as boot camps, courses, and online tutorials. We recommend trying out the free resources first, like Trailhead, to get a baseline understanding of programming and Salesforce. Once you have a foundation, branch out into other resources like the Odin Project, Khan Academy, and Free Code Camp.
Additionally, don't neglect Salesforce administration skills, such as understanding objects, reports, and configurations.
Gaining Hands-On Experience
Here are some ways to gain hands-on experience as a Salesforce developer:
Personal Projects: Find a passion or hobby and build an application or experience around it.
Open Source Projects: Contribute to a Salesforce-related open-source project.
Current Employer: Find opportunities to work on development tasks within your existing job.
Volunteer: Local non-profits or websites sometimes need programming help.
Remember, practice makes perfect. Try to surround yourself with code every day and utilize all available resources.
Conclusion
Becoming a Salesforce developer is a journey, and it starts with learning the basics and building your foundation. Utilize the free tools at your disposal, like Trailhead, Free Code Camp, or other resources. Be open to experimenting with different learning methods and gain hands-on experience through personal projects, contributing to open-source projects, and volunteering.
As you progress, remember that repetition is the key to learning. Continue to build upon your foundational knowledge of variables, loops, and functions until you become confident in your programming skills. With hard work and dedication, you'll be a professional Salesforce developer in no time.
Let us know in the comments below where you are on your Salesforce development journey, and any personal projects or resources you've found helpful. Good luck, and remember – we believe in you!
