Salesforce coding lessons for the 99%Finally, Apex tutorials for point-and-click admins! Written by a self-taught Google engineer.
Salesforce coding lessons for the 99%
You can be a Salesforce developer by the end of this Summer!
It only takes 5 – 10 hours per week max, starting from absolute scratch!
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Sign up for the Official Webinar Series on Learning Apex beginning in early May!
You’ll need to sign up for all three webinars individually to view them all!
Step 2: Purchase this book for just $25. I would not have succeeded without it!
Start reading just 10 pages of this book per day. Yes, only 10 pages a day is more than enough!
Bonus points if you read the book before you sleep – this helps you get in the habit.
Step 3: Read three Sfdc99 posts per week, starting from Chapter 1.
Quizzes count as a post as well! This puts you on pace to finish one chapter every two weeks.
By the end of July, you’ll have…
5 – 10 hours a week this Summer is all it takes to learn enough to get a job as a Salesforce developer! If you can’t dedicate that much time per week, you probably don’t want it badly enough!
Don’t forget – anyone can do it no matter what their background is!
Step 4: Write a comment on this post promising me you’ll become a developer this Summer.
Whether or not you succeed, you will have my respect for making this promise in public!
Need some motivation? Read this post and this post!
Want extra credit? Get certified and start learning Visualforce!
Thank you for sharing the pretty good article with us. It was worth reading and helpful.
Hi David,
I have been following you for a while now. Excellent initiative to build and manage such a cool page – I totally respect you for devoting your time for giving back! Hi 5!
Greetings from Germany.
Peter
Thank you Peter!
Hi David!
I am striving as a self-made Software Developer and promise that I will be a Sales Force Developer by the end of this summer! Currently on page 41 of Head First Java and I am excited for more!
Great!!!
Hi,
I was very much interesting to learn salesforce and i have completed basic topics irrespective of beginner-developer/admin level.I have 9 years of .net experience and working in one of the MNC.I have confidence to work with salesforce at the moment since i have studied all the necessary sections(APEX coding/Visual force/lightning component creation) so on from Trailhead.But i never had a chance to work with real time projects and i keep searching in my company for getting any opportunities.
If so,please suggest to get into the right direction and how can i improve myself by digging into salesforce with full of confidence.
Cheers,
Kamal
hi everyone..
i am working in IT operation team of a reputed MNC. I do not have much experience in coding.
Can anyone suggest me how to start salesforce training. Reply me on my mail.
Hi
I am basically a Salesforce Tester ( Selenium Web Driver ).
I want to become a Salesforce Developer for career advancement.
Please help me out as I really want to persuade in Salesforce.
Kindly do mail me in details.
Hey,
I would like to get in touch with you regarding salesforce automations as I will be trying to implement a framework etc soon for my project as well.
Please reach out to me @faizanhussain520@gmail.com.
Thanks,
Syed
Hi,
I have done my PG. I have knowledge of Java,Sql,HTML. I want to become a salesforce developer. Anyone can suggest me that how to start learning salesforce. Anyone can help me.
Please suggest me. I need help for growing my carrier in salesforce.
you can try on trailhead
I am a salesforce Administrator. i want to become a salesforce developer. What are the books/courses that i need to start with for becoming salesforce developer ?
Thank you, this is very helpful. I just started with beginner admin on trailhead. Shall I complete that first and move on to the steps you have suggested. Looks like your inputs are working out for many…glad I came across your site…will be on it regularly. I’m aiming to be a decent admin & Dev in next 6 months.
good luck Sam =)
Hi David,
A quick question, if we are learning your Apex Academy courses in Plural Sight. Do we still need to read the Head First Java Book?
Thanks,
Ravan
NOPE!
But it wouldn’t hurt of course!
yes
Hi David,
I Promise You that I will put my sincere honest efforts in becoming Salesforce Developer before end of this Year.
Thanks for all your motivation and unconditional love on everyone who is trying to code.
You mean a lot to me. Thank You once again.
Thanks,
Ravan
All the best Ravan!
Hi David,
I have a question about the book you recommended to buy. I see that the head first Java book was published in 2005. I was wondering if this is the book we should use or another recent Java book?
I am not sure if you recommended first head to get us introduced to Java. If this is not the case and since Java has moved on ahead of its time, is there another beginner book you recommend ?
Still SUPER relevant to Apex, the languages haven’t changed much over the years. Especially at the entry level portion!
I am new to the Salesforce. I am having partial knowledge about its opportunities. But i need to know if i should learn JAVA thoroughly to getting in as a Salesforce developer or admin?
Hi David,
Honestly speaking, you are such a inspire. Since I am from non-IT background, facing a difficulty in learning coding but whenever I open your site I am gaining little confidence. You are awesome. Keep going:)
I have made my mind that I am gonna be a developer in 2016-17 for sure and yeah of course with your help I believe:)
Thank you Karthik!
Hi i am a .net developer ,can i became a sales-force developer
Yes for sure! You’ll find a lot of information on this site covering that exact question!
Thanks David. This information is excellent for me. I am new in salesforce.
Hi,This information is excellent i have like this information… /* link removed */
Please don’t advertise paid sites that you’re affiliated with!
UI on that site needs some work but I personally would love to learn Hadoop!
Thanks for the post.This is really great but According to me if you want learn Salesforce and than you should go to https://intellipaat.com/salesforce-admin-training/ an awesome website that give self paced training in just 80 $
^_^
I’m a bit to late to have this done by the end of the summer, but I hope to by the end of winter! I ordered the book, and I am looking forward to the challenge. I never imagined I would learn to code– started out as a science teacher before getting into Salesforce– but here I am! Thank you so much for this site!
So awesome!
David, you are a true inspiration!
I’ve just finished watching the 3 Apex for Admin webinars on YouTube and your story really inspired me to take up the challenge myself.
I may have missed the Summer deadline, but you have my word I will be a developer by the end of Winter!
Sweeeeet!
I have started on October 1st, and I will be a good salesforce developer by the end of this month.
Thanks a lot David, you have made it easy.
Btw, I have completed my 401 certification.
Hey David,
I just came across your website, but I am going to commit to this program! Currently I am a graduate student in divinity, and I also work full-time as a Business Analyst. I became the Salesforce Administrator at our company this past May and have learned a lot, but need to start learning Apex, triggers, Visualforce, etc. Thank you for these resources! They are really helpful and I can’t wait to start!
Question: so is this path for the 501? I have heard there isn’t a lot of coding on the 401 exam…is this true? How much of this list do I need to know in order to get the 401? My goal is to get the 501 eventually, but for now, I really just want to get the 401 and an entry level job as a dev.
Also, I don’t have my admin cert, but have about a year of experience doing admin-type work. In your opinion, is an admin cert necessary if one is short on money and time and the goal is really to get the dev401 cert?
Zero code on 401 =)
Every cert significantly helps =)
Awesome site! I have been an Admin for two years, and I feel I master the point-and-click solutions. I have some understanding building triggers and can write simple SOQL queries. I am now looking into getting a DEV job seriously, just like you, I love SFDC. I will soon have my first technical interviews I would like to shine as gold :) I am going to EAT all your tutorials and definitely buy the Head First Java Book. What other recommendations would you suggest to get ready for a DEV job technical interview?? I want to practice with real scenarios…etc
Thanks,
Lut
Other than doing the quizzes/challenges on this site I recommend writing the maximum amount of code.
Start by taking some of your workflows in your org and writing them with code (just for practice). Then, start trying to code things you always wished you could do with workflows/validation rules!
Most interviews focus on the material in Chapter 5 so make sure to know that stuff very well =) DEV 501 scenarios are very indicative of the questions you’ll get during interviews.
This is very exciting. I just signed up for a salesforce.com developer account and I was wondering where to start. I’m really looking forward to complete this track.
GO get em Joel!
I love this site. Thank you so much. Just order the book, and am excited to get started.
Just passed the Dev cert last week!
YAY Kim!!!!!
Hello David, Aren’t we supposed to know C/C++ prior to learning Java or Apex or any OOPS language for that matter?
Nope! That would probably slow you down since you’d be learning a bunch of stuff that’s not relevant or even in the same syntax!
Hello David. Thanks for this guide. I’m starting today. 08/25/2014. I’m going for 15 hours per week to see how long it takes me. I’d like to get the Advanced Developer Cert. I currently have Admin, Advanced Admin, Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, and Developer Certs. I’ll be golden if I can get Advanced Developer
Impressed with your dedication!!
6 certs is a-m-a-z-i-n-g!
Hi David.
This is really awesome. I saw the first two webinars yesterday and did right after my first trigger for a real business need.Today I saw the third webinar and did my first test class with 90% code coverage on the trigger so it is ready for production. Nice!
Btw. I also ordered Head Start Java yesterday and have promised myself to complete one of your chapter every week which will be rewarded with a cool t-shirt – every Friday :-) And the 401 certification by the end of September will give me a new jacket so I am ready to start up as a freelance salesforce consultant (besides my current Salesforce admin job).
Thanks for fantastic website and all the good motivation!
Peter G
Completed chapter 1 and 2 today. This is fun =)
/Peter
Sweet!!!!
I can tell already you have a bright future ahead of you =)
You don’t need to know any code for the 401 certification.
Very nice to see the law of positive reinforcement in operation by you Peter. Something I should also be learning to reward myself on each accomplishment. But the question is, what reward will be more exciting to choose for putting in massive effort and not procrastinate? Just like a dolphin which is ever ready and enthusiastic to perform whole day at sea park circus for it’s rewarding fish meal by the end of day, what reward that we choose will keep us moving at times of procrastination? Surely, it’s an individual choice but better be exciting!
Whenever I feel my set reward is not properly motivating me, I increase the budget of the reward =)
I started looking through this site today and wish I had found it sooner! I missed the Apex Webinars. Will they repeat these anytime soon?
Here’s a few things you can do:
1. Check out the recordings here:
https://www.sfdc99.com/2014/07/03/official-salesforce-webinars-on-how-to-learn-apex/
2. Join my Dreamforce session (haven’t finalized the name yet)!
David
Hi david, I am looking for Apex online live training , will it be possible for you to provide
You know I’ve actually really wanted to do this – especially in person classes in the Bay Area, CA. I’d want to do live webinars too but I just haven’t received that many requests to do so!
If I got maybe 20 people asking for this and confirming attendance I’d do it, but I don’t think the demand is there!
So nowadays I have to choose to spend six hours on creating a new post or coming up with live training content, but since so many more people read posts, I always work on that instead!
I would attend!
We got two! Or one, if you’re the same anonymous poster!
I would do it!
I would attend a live webinar for sure.
Wow! I would be intrested in live webinar. Please keep me posted. Thanks :)
Hi David , thanks for the tutorials
I did it David! You were completely right, i started studying in May and was able to take and pass the Dev 401! Thanks for this awesome site, it helped alot!
Wooo go Holly! Proud of you!!
Hi David,
I am new to sales force and have some doubts to be cleared. I am looking to start my career in sales force. Please guide me.
Questions:
1. Does I need to be trained on both developer and admin?
2. What is best among the 2 to get the job and which has better future opportunities?
3. what are the basic certifications I need to do after getting trained on sales force developer/admin?
4. What are the current requirements for the projects, to be specific what concepts I need to work on to meet real time scenarios?
5.What books you will suggest for Sales force Developer/ admin?
6. For coding I heard we need to know oops concepts.. suggest any books related to this.
Please send the information so that it will be helpful to me.
1. Admin before dev!
2. You can’t be a dev without knowing the admin side VERY well!
3. 201 and 301
4. This one comes with experience! But know that 99% of Salesforce is admin stuff so that is why you must understand that well first.
5. Check out my beginner tutorials! (Head First Java)
6. See #5
Gr8 work David. I am learning SF Integration concepts, and finds it quite difficult to get the examples to work on. Could you please guide me, how shall i go about and any reference material as i am not from JSON/Java background.
and struggling to get any good material to go about.
Head First Java =)
I m impressed and inspired. currently I m working on java in a support project. its now or never. Thanks a lot. I want to become sales force developer. I will do it.
BAM!
Hi David !
I followed your website earlier and completed few tutorials and then missed!! I too will be developer this summer(lol its rainy in India).
Many Thanks David and all who post here.
Go Lucky Go!!
Gosh! I should have been here much earlier. But anyway, am I already too late for the commitment? or this would still help any new comer to get prepared being a salesforce developer no matter how late one gets to this preparation plan?
Thank you!
Most important thing you’ll ever hear:
It’s never too late to learn!
I. am. floored…
Seriously, where has your site been all this time?!?! That’s it. I’m in. I’m starting late, but last I checked summer goes until September 22nd. I’ll be done by then.
Hahaha glad you like the site! I believe you can do it this season!
Starting this late but think I can still learn to code by Labor Day! Thanks for the great stuff here and it has finally dawned on me what a test class is and what it does to “trigger” the trigger.
Great job Sarah!!!
Pingback: Step-by-step guide to becoming a Salesforce developer | SalesForce.com IQ
Thanks for the very great stuff
Hi david,
can you give me the tutorial videos for visualforce
Thanks in advance,
karthick
Visualforce tutorials coming in the future!
Timeline entirely depends on how burnt out I am, ha ha ha
I am Waiting
I love this site. Thank you so much. Just order the book, and am excited to get started.
Thank you!
Dear David,
You are Really Inspiring me and other number of people. God Bless You with Good Health and Wealth . I will Start reading from today Will Message you after i get Job :) Thanks Friend.
Thank you for the very kind words!
Hi David,
Just a clarifying question for the book, Head First Java. In the first few pages of the introduction, the authors talk about things needed for the book, such as the Java 2 Standard Edition SDK, additional API documentation from the java.sun.com site, a text editor, etc. I’ve gone to the website they reference for all this and considering the book is 10 years old, I’m not sure these tools are still available. And since I haven’t seen any mention of these from you on your site, maybe they aren’t necessary? Thoughts?
Highly recommend going through that stuff (get the latest versions instead)!
They’re necessary to do the practice examples in the book, but not necessary for Salesforce specific development. Your learning will hurt if you don’t follow along with the examples but if you must, try to understand in theory everything in the book =)
Hi David, Thank you for all the motivation, Im planning to take my career as an developer,but not sure if ican adn so wondering about the pre requisite for being a developer.Good fortune made me click on your website…your blog answers all the question of a person who thinks thinks thinks thinks of shifting his/her career in development. I was also continuously thinking thinking thinking of doing some thing to become a developer and now got the right motivation, guidance and a pathway to may developer career..I WILL BECOME A SELESFROCE DEVELOPER…Thank you David
I believe in you Syed!
Hi David,
Indeed it is great help from you that you are giving such knowledge about sales force , i am from banking background but yes i am really fascinated about coding and all the things that really work in the back ground of the software to make it work the way it does and i have also purchased “Head First Java” it’s an awesome book reminds me of my school days having all the picture and explanation , Though i don’t have any background of any language first two lesson has really made me understand the basic of JAVA . yes i am too promising to become a sales force certification DEV401 developer but still i am unable to know how to really get going with the sales force site itself for certification , please guide my step by step as it is really confusing while i am browsing through the sales force site also i want to take virtual training rather then instructor led as my current job is not permitting to so please help as i am really looking forward to get certified and get started as a developer.
Regards,
Uttam Salian.
Optimize for learning, the certification stuff will come easy =)
I will do an entire chapter on certs coming after Chapter 8! Otherwise you’ll have to do with Google searching!!
Thanks david I will follow your instruction again hats off to you for imparting knowledge I promise to become a sales force developer
I believe in you Uttam!
Hi David,
I am a support rep and have been working with Salesforce and have had my 201 301 and 401 for just over 2 years. I have no coding background and I am going to become a Salesforce Developer using your techniques and this amazing site. I will be sure to keep you posted.
Day1 Whoot!!.
Cheers,
Justin Manchester
Whoot!! You’re gonna get your 501 too one day!
Hi David,
I started on my goal to get certified in salesforce admin 401 after readin your story here which i have accompalished, now needed your advice about the next step should it be a 201or a 501 that i target , with the main goal of meeting u in a MVP summit someday :-).
Thanks,
Anand
Hehehe hope I get to meet you to Anand!
I recommend doing all the easy ones first, so 201, 211, then CON201 before 501!
Hi David,
Thank you for inspiring! I come from a non-technical background but hey I am going to be a SF developer by July.
WOOT!!! High 5!!!!!
Here I am, standing (well, sitting actually) here and vowing that I will get my DEV 401! I have already received my 201 and after I get the 401, I will then move forward to get my 211!
Awesome!!!!!!
P.S. best kept secret in the industry – there is no code on the 401!
Go get em Holly!
Hi David, thank you so much for doing this. I am truly inspired by your journey. I’ve been doing Salesforce support/admin work since 2010 for two different employers now, but never learned how to code. I convinced my current employer to allow me to attend an Intro to Apex class at Dreamforce 2013, but it didn’t help me that much because my day-to-day job doesn’t provide me opportunities to learn/apply Apex/VF. I may be late in joining, but I promise that I will get at least my first certification by end of this summer and it might take me longer than this summer, but I will learn how to code in Apex. I have ordered Head First Java and completed the first webinar (looking foward to the other two when they’re posted). Thanks again.
I have great faith in you young grasshopper!
Hey David!..so great and a noble work, you are doing..trying selflessly to help people become SF developer..I am gonna be a developer by end of the summer!!
You go brother!
I’m late but here I come!
Leandro – That is awesome and better late than never, right!
Thanks for all the help. Plz can we have the other 2 recordings.
I’ll have em both posted as soon as they’re up!
Please can we have the recordings of the other 2 webinars . It would be really helpful.Keep up the gud work
I am going to become a developer this summer! I have attended 2 of the 3 webinars and just ordered the book. I have been trying to become a developer for the past 2 years with some mentoring by our in-house architect/developer but my daily administrator duties always seem to get in the way. I am making the commitment right now to complete my training on my own time and become a developer. Thank you David for the awesome resources you have provided!!
I believe in you JoAnn =)
I’m coming late to the party, but ready to join. I have the beginning developer certification, admin, and adv admin certs; but know nothing about development. Its about time I learned.
Welcome to the club!!!
Count me in! I’ve had the book for a couple of months and stopped and started several times. This time I’m doing it!
You go John!!!
hey David, I need some help with writing my very first trigger. could you help me? would it be possible to shoot you an email?
thanks,
Chad
I’ll do my best to guide you! dee vee dee kay el eye you at gmail.com =)
I’m in! I’ve been a certified admin since July of 2012 and always wanted to learn code so I could extend Salesforce beyond what is capable with clicks. Thank you so much for doing this.
My pleasure, I’m rooting for you!
Hi David,
First of all, A big thanks to you for this splendid work of yours which is immensely helping so many people like me :)
I have receltly completed my Admin 201 certification…And now I am pretty confused as what to go for next.
Let me confess…. Coding is NOT at all my strength….though I am trying….ahhhh….so to say…pulling myself….
I have already completed the Udacity course & I did attend the1st webniar..waiting for the second one which is tommorow I guess…
My aim is to get the consultant certifications (i know it will take time to reach there) but still I wanted to know if DEV401 will help me in any way..in terms of job hunt specifically?
If not then would you suggest me going for the advnaced admin and then the consultant exams??
Ohhh…Too many questions :) Will paitently wait for your reply.
Thanks!!!
Every certification helps!
…and did you know that DEV 401 doesn’t ask any questions about code? Zero! Not even kidding about this!
Hello David,
I decided follow your advice to be a Salesforce developer this summer. I’m late I know, but never is to late right?
So I have been reading head first java and have some questions. I don’t no if you can answer my questions because this site is to salesforce. But if you can response I appreciate.
In page 90 a try and try but I can’t understand the code, I can’t calculate the output.
You can help me please?
Thanks.
The recording is up! =)
https://www.sfdc99.com/2014/05/21/apex4admins-webinar-recording-part-1-is-now-live/
Do you mind pasting the code here (if it’s short)? I recently moved and don’t have my coding books on hand!
Hi,
this is the code.
Thanks.
public class Mix4 (
int counter = O;
public static void main (String [) args) (
int count = 0;
Mix4 [] m4a =new Mix4[20];
int x = 0;
while ( ){
m4a[x] = new Mix4 ();
m4a[x].counter = m4a[x].counter+1;
count = count + 1;
count = count + m4a[x) .maybeNew(x);
x=x+1;
}
System.out.println(count +””+m4a[1].counter);
}
public int maybeNew(int index){
if( ){
Mix m4 = new Mix4();
m4.counter = m4.counter+1;
return1;
}
return 0;
}
}
One option is: while(x<9)
if(index<5)
Output 14 1
Hi IsaD, can I chime in?? Trying to explain the code may help me understand even better…(so please allow me to be selfish…:) )
Ok! to begin, plug the candidates ‘x < 9' and 'index < 5' into the while and if conditions respectively (i.e. while (x < 9) … if (index < 5). You may want to number each line in the code…it will make explaining easier.
The variables to track in this code are:
i) counter – an instance variable
ii) count – a local variable declared in the main method
iii) x – also a local variable declared in the main method.
**Note: index will always have the same value as x in this code. The value of x is passed to index when the maybeNew() method is called (i.e. m4a[x].maybeNew(x) )
Few important things to keep in mind..
1. Method maybeNew (int index) will always return either 1 or 0, so you need not be distracted with the rest of the stuff happening in that method. As long as the if condition is true, it returns 1, otherwise it returns 0.
2. Each iteration through the while loop initializes a new instance of the Mix4[ ] array previously declared in line 5 (i.e. Mix4 [ ] m4a = new Mix4 [20];). Note that each new m4a instance in the array gets its own copy of the instance variable counter. This means that m4a[0], m4a[1] and so on, each get its own copy of the variable counter which is initialized to 0. In other words, any manipulations done with m4a[0].counter, will not affect the value of m4a[1].counter and vice versa.
If you follow so far, we can now iterate through the loop, tracking our variables..Line 8 initializes a new Mix4 instance, line 9 increments the new instance's counter variable by 1, line 10 increments local variable 'count' by 1,
line 11 again increments count by whatever method maybeNew(x) returns, line 12 increments x by 1, and the loop cycles again.
Imagine the following as a table with the columns: Iteration, Line 9, line10, line11 and line12.
1st iteration (x=0): m4a[0].counter = 0+1 = 1; count = 0+1 =1; count= 1+1 = 2; x = 0+1 = 1
2nd iteration (x=1): m4a[1].counter = 0+1 = 1; count = 2+1 = 3; count = 3+1 = 4; x = 1+1 = 2
3rd iteration (x=2): m4a[2].counter = 0+1 = 1; count = 4+1 = 5; count = 5+1 = 6; x = 2+1 = 3
4th iteration (x=3): count = 6+1 = 7; count = 7+1 = 8; x = 3+1 = 4
5th iteration (x=4): count = 8+1 = 9; count = 9+1 = 10; x = 4+1 = 5
6th iteration (x=5): count = 10+1 = 11; count = 11+0 = 11; x = 5+1 = 6
For the 7th – 9th iteration, count increases by a total of 3 (increasing by 1 each time) since method maybeNew() started returning 0 from the 6th iteration when the value of x became 5 – see the if condition.
So by the end of the 9th iteration, count = 14 (11+3) and x becomes 9, which ends the loop as the loop condition is now false.
Notice that I stopped tracking m4a[x].counter after iteration 3. This is because what we needed to print was the value of m4a[1].counter which we already got in iteration 2. Besides, through the remaining iterations line 9 is always going to evaluate to 1 since each new m4a instance gets its own copy of counter which is set to 0 and then incremented by 1 in line 9.
I hope I haven't managed to confuse you further?? :)
THANK YOU for explaining this because my head is fried. LOL
Cool, I understand. Thanks a lot Felix N.
You new in code too?
Thanks again.
Hey David,
SOOOO glad I came across you site! Im a certified admin and have always wanted to start learning coding. You website looks like the place to start this! I missed the first webinar – when will the recoding be available? Also, do you think after finishing the webinars, tutorials etc one can take the certification exam?
Thanks~
Glad you’re enjoying yourself Rachel!
The webinar will likely be up this week! In lieu of it I recommend reading Chapter 1 on this site to catch up!
One of the biggest secrets is that DEV 401 requires no code =) So if you’re good with workflows and the like, you’re probably ready to take the cert now!
Davod
Any chance the recording can be put up before the next webinar? Would love to catch up and then be able to join the 2nd session.
Recording is up! Hope you had the chance to check it out!
https://www.sfdc99.com/2014/05/21/apex4admins-webinar-recording-part-1-is-now-live/
Hi David! I am an admin, and I’ve always been interested in learning apex, however I could never figure out where to start. . . until now!! Thank you so much for this website and for the inspiration to take on this challenge! I’ve registered for all 3 webinars and my book should arrive any day now.:)
Alright!!! Go Tabitha go!!!
Count me in.
Count me in! I have some Java training back from college a while back now but no real coding project experience.
Time to brush up those skills and get my hands dirty with some Apex (and VF), and your website makes it a breeze.
Thanks David!
I am super excited to become a developer this summer, learning Apex has been a goal of mine for the last year as i have transitioned from a long held finance roll to operations/development role and i just wasn’t sure where to start, so thank you for giving me (and everyone else) a clear path.
Everytime I see a woman going for it I smile!!!! Go Anne!!
Awesome website David! Thank you so much for sharing the information and experience. For awhile now I have really wanted to dive deeper into the development side, so I can create triggers and other custom code instead of waiting on developers to do it for me. The process has definitely trained me to exhaust every possible declarative way(including being very creativity) before going to development, but it does get frustrating when I hit those road blocks. Your website has definitely inspired me to stop putting this off and go for it. I will become a Salesforce Developer this summer!
YES!!!
Supper Excited! Count me in!
Step 1 Done
Step 2 Done/ordered should have within 2days.
Step 3 In process, attended Webinar1 today and start my journey into Dev. Already see a few triggers I want to try in our org.
Step 4: Done. Here’s my promise to David I’ll become a developer this Summer!
I’ve struggled with all the different resources, some giving only pieces of info needed and the time to sort through everything … which in turn made me feel lost and discourage. Love this webiste and the time you’ve devoted to help others.. you are awesome David!
Love your energy Bianca I will take you up on that promise!
Loved the webinar today, can’t wait for the rest and to get started on the book and posts. I promise I’ll become a developer this summer.
Awesome stuff Eric!! You’re now on the watch!
OK, sign me up. I started looking at Salesforce from scratch towards the end of 2013 as I work for a charity there is no budget and just my time. Learned all I could to set up a case management solution but now finding the limits of the point and click admin. I’ll be on your webinar this evening(UK) and ordered the book. What a great find SFDC99 is, thanks David.
You’re a good man Paul – see you on the webinar in an hour!
Hey @paul. That was my problem as well: no budget or time. But this looks doable on my own time. Hows it going for you?
Head First Java rocks !
Hi David
I am planning to take DEV401 exam in July and wondering if you could give a suggestion how should I prepare for;)
Search for DEV 401 flashcards on Quizlet.com! I passed it on my first try using exclusively that site and Salesforce standard documentation!
I will be giving this a shot. I already go the book based onn your recommendation from an earlier post. By the way your blog was also super helpful with getting the DEV 401 certification.
I’m giving this a go. Recently finished the Udacity course and want to become a certified developer. Thanks David for taking the time to make this great resource for all of us!
Yes!!!!!
Thanks for posting these steps. I registered for the webinars and bought the book. I am a Certified SF Admin, Sales Cloud and Service Cloud Consultant and ready to take the next step into the Developer certification.
You can do it Deborah!!!
David! You greatly inspire me. I passed my Dev 401 Exam today! It was totally self study with no SFDC Premier Support video access. My next goal is Dev 501 certification.
Cheers to resiliency!
X
Cheers X and congrats!
hi David a i want to learn non-coding side of Salesforce.Is Udacity course free course is enough for me? please help me for how to prepare to get certified in (admn 201)………..
You’ll definitely need more than that!
Check out quizlet.com for flashcards!
Your commitment to helping people become developers is just mighty inspiring. Here is my pledge Dave – I will become a developer this summer and I will find a way to pay this help forward. Thank you so very much!
I am very proud of you Felix for having the bravery to do so! Taking the first step is the hardest part – I’ve been through it too!
You fulfilling your goals is payment enough for me, I will be happy for you Felix =)
David
I was hired as a Salesforce Admin at my current company a couple of months ago and quickly transitioned into a developer role without having any experience with code. I, now, LOVE coding visualforce pages and apex classes, and David, you are right: Dreamforce changed my life.
I WILL become a salesforce developer by the end of the summer. I have my ADM 201 cert, bought the Head First Java book, and am studying for the Dev 401 cert. Can’t wait to read your up coming blogs! Thanks for starting sfdc99.com :)
Dawn, I admire your boldness! I got your back every step of the way!
I’m in!
Hi ,
thanks for inspiring me, I am going to start today.
Thank you for having the courage to do something new!
Wonderful! This is so nice of you David. Even I’m in for a salesforce learning treat this summer. While I don’t like to put my integrity at stake by making a promise, I surely will give my best effort in becoming a salesforce developer! BTW, do we really need to dig deep into “Head First Java” only to unlearn things later on while working with Apex and it’s design patterns? Is there a stop point in book which is sufficient enough to be writing Apex code or one need to finish the whole thing and thereby becoming efficient with both Apex and Java? Thanks!
Welcome to the club!
Up to page 400 is sufficient! Don’t worry – there will be nothing to unlearn because there is so much overlap!
Hi David,
I started with head first java book today,which is very interesting like your site https://www.sfdc99.com/ , i am in for this contest.
Cheers,
Harsha
I’m going for it!
I will make sure you are successful!
I will becoma a salesforce developer this Summer.
Thank-you from India
I believe you will =)
Im going to accomplish apex this summer, ive already got the adm, dev, service and sales cloud certs, and I have attempted to do apex several times in the past, but this time its different, this time I have david helping me through it. I have already ready several chapters of the head first book, and it is awesome, just need to dig it out (i had an ebook version of it).
Also since the webinar was yesterday, looking forward to getting the recordings and papers from it, roll on the next one aswell!
Webinar is next week! Hahaha
I got your back!
weird, i got an email as a reminder for last week…… might have been another webinar (I got a bit click happy on them all and registered for the lot!)
Hi David, thanks for ALL of the valuable info. I recently got my 1st Salesforce certification (Adm201) and now I’m coming for the DEV (All of them).
Certification conquest – always a good strategy!!!
Glad I could help!
Great site – I’m a certified admin but have been looking for ways to jump into development. Was able to use this site last week to walk me through creating my first test code on a simple trigger. I’m definitely in for this summer!
Respecto!
I have been a siebel developer for quite sometime..want to switch to sfdc..i have the 401 certification but not confident about apex…I will be a developer and get a job by the end of this summer in salesforce..thanks to your site..i have confidence to bring it on…keeping fingers crossed…
I believe in you!
Hi David
I am new to salesforce. I would like to become a salesforce developer this summer. so I will take the DEV401 exam this july.
And now I am studying the force.com workbook and doing its execise. For such I also want to look at APEX too.
Started with Head first Java book, thanks a lot for this site..and with your support and motivation for sure this summer I will be salesforce developer
I’m proud of you Manish =)
I have been an sfdc administrator for too long and it is time to move up to a developer and than higher. Ordering the book and going to star pt reading evrything I can on your website!
Yes!!! Go get em Bill it’s yours for the taking!!!
I’m very excited to have found this website and this seems exactly what I needed to get exposure to Apex. David, thanks for putting this great resource together. I’m all in.
I will slay the coding dragon this Summer! Got my Head First Java book today! Thank you for the tips David. I have 6 years admin background. Passed the Dev401 certification two years ago. Now, I really need to do a deep dive into Apex. I very much appreciate your site and quick replies to the posted questions. It is very helpful.
Hi David
I already have the Dev 401 cert and I want to do the Dev 501 certificate by at least August but I don’t have enough expirience in apex and VF, will this study recipe help?
Doing DEV501 right now, not gonna lie, it’s a lot more difficult than the other certs. Not even the same ballpark!
If you have enough experience coding in Apex/Visualforce that you can name 20 Visualforce tags off the top of your head, you’re probably ready! Otherwise, it’s difficult to study for this certification as there are so many things that only come with experience!
So the best way to study is to write as many triggers and Visualforce pages as possible!
Okay thanx for the advice i’ll try that… I know about 11 VF tags so 9 more to go hahahaha
Already started the Java book! Already reading your blog! Super excited for the webinar! Let’s do this!
Thanks David, you’re the best!
I am salesforce developer but want to architect. Can someone help?
Thanks
Ravi
Becoming a Salesforce developer is the logical step before becoming an architect =)
You must fully understand the platform before moving to that level!
Hi David,
I recently got a new job as an salesforce developer. I have some experience with java but I’m not an expert. my question to you is this: if i want to become certified as a force.com developer should I follow the self training path listed in the study guide or will your outline prepare me for the certification. thanks for the info you provide on this website. I appreciate your help.
Congrats Chad!!!
The basic developer certification has literally 0 code on it, so you’re already ready!
Advanced developer certification is a different beast, and you’ll definitely need to know everything on this site (and more – especially Visualforce) to complete it!
David
Already finished the non-coding side of Salesforce (the Udacity course). Started with Head First Java. I want to and Yes! I will become a salesforce developer this summer.
Such bravery, such courage! I have nothing but respect for you Damodar.
Should you need any help in your journey this Summer, be sure to contact me!
David