Salesforce developer - Zero to Hero in 30 days

Folks often ask me how to come onboard Salesforce development, especially I don't have knowledge about CRM but I have couple years of experience as a developer, either in .NET, Java or JavaScript. So here is a 30-day plan to do so, which takes you about 2 hours a day:

Week 1:

Day 1: Sign up for a free Salesforce Developer account at https://developer.salesforce.com and familiarize yourself with the Salesforce platform. Visit the Salesforce website and explore the Trailhead (https://trailhead.salesforce.com/) platform; you can use the Salesforce ID create at the developer org to sign in.

Day 2-3: Start with the "Getting Started with Salesforce" module on Trailhead, which provides an overview of the Salesforce platform.

Day 4-5: Learn about the Salesforce Data Model, including objects, fields, and relationships, by completing the "Data Modeling" module on Trailhead.

Salesforce has its own unique data model that is different from traditional relational databases like MySQL or SQL Server. In Salesforce, data is stored in objects, which are similar to tables in traditional databases. Each object has fields, which are similar to columns in traditional databases, that store specific pieces of data.

However, Salesforce's data model goes beyond the traditional relational database model. In Salesforce, objects can have relationships with each other, which is not typically possible in traditional databases. For example, an Account object in Salesforce can have a relationship with a Contact object, where each account can have many related contacts.

In Salesforce, there are three types of relationships between objects:

1. Master-detail relationship: This relationship links two objects where one object (the master) controls the ownership and security of the other object (the detail). When a master record is deleted, all related detail records are also deleted.
2. Lookup relationship: This relationship links two objects where one object (the parent) has a lookup field that points to a record in another object (the child). A child record can exist without a parent record and can have multiple parent records.
3. Many-to-many relationship: This relationship links two objects with a third object (a junction object) that creates a many-to-many relationship. For example, if you have an object for products and an object for accounts, a junction object could be used to link accounts with the products they have purchased.

In addition to standard objects provided by Salesforce, you can also create custom objects that are specific to your business needs. Custom objects can have custom fields, relationships, and other features that you define.

Overall, the Salesforce data model is designed to be flexible and adaptable to different business needs. It allows you to store and manage complex data structures with ease, and provides powerful tools for data analysis and reporting. While it may take some time to get used to the Salesforce data model, once you understand it, you can build powerful and customized applications on the platform.

Day 6-7: Learn about the Salesforce Architecture, including Apex, Visualforce, and Lightning Components. Complete the "Apex Basics & Database" and "Visualforce Basics" modules on Trailhead.

If you think of Salesforce like a traditional 3-tier .NET or Java full stack web application, you are visualize it in following ways

1. Presentation layer: This layer is responsible for rendering the user interface of the application. It uses the Salesforce Lightning Design System, a set of CSS frameworks and UI components, to provide a consistent look and feel across all devices and platforms.
2. Business logic layer: This layer contains the business rules and processes that govern the behavior of the application. It includes features such as workflows, validation rules, process builders, and Apex code.
3. Data access layer: This layer provides access to the underlying data in the Salesforce database. It includes the Salesforce Object Query Language (SOQL) and the Salesforce Object Search Language (SOSL), which are used to retrieve data from the database.
4. Integration layer: This layer provides integration with external systems and services. It includes features such as Apex web services, Apex callouts, and external objects.
5. Security layer: This layer provides security features such as role-based access control, field-level security, and data encryption to protect the data and application from unauthorized access.

Week 2:

Day 8-9: Learn more about Apex by completing the "Apex Triggers" module on Trailhead.

Day 10-11: Learn about Lightning Web Components by completing the "Get Started with Lightning Web Components" module on Trailhead.

Day 12-13: Learn about Salesforce Integration by completing the "Integrations Basics" module on Trailhead.

Day 14: Take a break and practice what you have learned so far by completing the challenges and exercises on Trailhead.

Week 3:

Day 15-16: Learn about advanced Apex concepts such as Apex classes and batch Apex by completing the "Apex Classes and Controllers" module on Trailhead.

Day 17-18: Learn more about Lightning Web Components by completing the "Lightning Web Components" module on Trailhead.

Day 19-20: Learn about REST and SOAP APIs by completing the "API Basics" module on Trailhead.

Day 21: Take a break and practice what you have learned so far by completing the challenges and exercises on Trailhead.

Week 4:

Day 22-23: Practice your Apex coding skills by completing the "Apex Specialist Superbadge" on Trailhead.

Day 24-25: Practice your Visualforce coding skills by completing the "Visualforce Specialist Superbadge" on Trailhead.

Day 26-27: Practice your Lightning Web Component coding skills by completing the "Aura Components Specialist Superbadge" on Trailhead.

Day 28-29: Review your skills and knowledge by completing the "Salesforce Developer Certification Practice Exam" on Trailhead.

Day 30: Take a break and celebrate your progress! You can also start preparing for Salesforce certification exams.

This 30-day plan provides a structured approach to learning Salesforce development by gradually building on your knowledge and skills. Remember, it's important to practice regularly and seek help from the Salesforce community when needed. Good luck!