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%
Ah the seasons of life go by so quickly…
It’s time for me to start my next adventure.
I’m taking my career in a different direction. One where my Salesforce skills aren’t really relevant anymore. A world where I’ll be a child once again, much like things were not long ago when I began learning to code. “Always be learning” – words once taught to me that I think about often.
I know in my heart I will no longer be able to give SFDC99 the love that it needs. I’ve been thinking about this a lot – this site has been the reason for many of my life’s happiest moments and I am grateful every day for it. But now I know it’s time for SFDC99 to come to an end.
Don’t be sad. This site is the result of many learnings in my life from many, many heroes. The goal of SFDC99 was always to simply “pass it on.” I dreamed of inspiring the next generation of Salesforce developers, but I always knew at some point it had to end.
And as it ends, the question I wonder is, “Who will be next?” There must be someone out there ready to take the baton and inspire another generation. I remember when that time came for me – I didn’t think I’d be able to make a difference, but today, I’m thankful that I tried.
Maybe that person is you. Maybe you, in your own way, will help pass it on and inspire a wide-eyed Salesforce student out there. I’ll tell you from experience that it’s a joy you might never experience elsewhere, but in the end, it’s for a cause that’s much bigger than you or me. I’d love to hear your stories one day.
There are so many things in the Salesforce world still waiting to be taught, and every year that list gets more and more exciting.
It’s a magical world my friends, no doubt about it! Time to go exploring!
David Liu
This is an incredible site, brimming with optimism, thoughtfulness and wisdom. You’re an inspiration, man. Cheers and good luck on the next phase, Dan
Thanks @david,
Because of you I am able to earn my bread.
Good Luck David!!
SFDC99 will always be remembered.
I just found this site and was so excited to use all the resources you provided but so sad I found it so late. Do you plan on keeping the site up and if so, how long? Thanks for your resources and help! It’s going to be a huge tool for us SF admins!
David – I was bummed to hear you were moving on and then realized how selfish that was of me. I’m happy for you! Best wishes in your next endeavor. I’m sure you’ll be a rock star there as well.
Oh, and thanks to your inspiration and killer site – I just passed ADM201. I’m taking the DEV401 cert tomorrow….
Thanks for all you’ve done and continue to do for everyone. You’re one in a million.
Cheers!
Brandi
David its really very very SAD, I learnt a lot from you and SFDC99. Thanks a TON for everything and making me LOVE coding which i used to HATE before, you are such an inspiring person. Its so TUF to imagine you wont be there to help us out. :( :(. However Good luck in your future endeavors.
Hey David.. thanks for inspiring the rest of us with your story.. I’m considering a career change and when I found this site , I know Salesforce is the one. Hope you keep this site up and running… Good luck to your future endeavor..
I’m so sad to hear you are leaving to inner circle, but do wish you the best with your future endeavors. I appreciate all the time and effort you have spent breaking down how apex works. explaining simply yet thoroughly, each piece and the impact it has on the whole. Beyond that, I love the fact that you took the time to tell stories of your followers and their journey, giving your site a new layer that others just don’t have. I know I am not the only one that has found you to be an amazing teacher, and valuable resource. You have been vital to the foundation of my development knowledge, and for that, I just want to say thanks. I hope you enjoy your new path, you will be missed.
David, Thank you for this fabulous site and the vision. Wish you all the best in your new career!
All the best David, in your new career
As someone who just discovered this goldmine, I sincerely thank you for all your work, the guides and the awesome attitude.
It’s sad to know you will not be posting here anymore, but that’s life alright, it changes.
So I wish you the very best and luck to meet other cool folks like yourself. :)
Thanks David for your wonderful contribution to this site. This is a great site for SF..
Wish to see you back here…..
David, I have sent SO many people to this wonderful site. Thank you for all of your hard work and I wish you the best. I’ve asked several folks on our team who are Adv Dev (and some TA) certified to see if they can help keep your site active and updated. Fingers crossed …
All the best David :)
We will miss you so much :(
This is the best site for Salesforce. Your contribution and effort to this site is immense. Hope you come back again…
Hey – I definitely know how you feel as I recently took one of those jumps. Mine was a bit reversed as I was on the business side of things forever, but also the salesforce.com dude at my former org. I made the jump to the partner side and am learning that I didn’t really know as much as I thought I did. Thus, through my new co-workers and the need for certifications, I was recommended to come here and look at your approach. Just wanted to say thanks for taking your time and energy and making this site available. Definitely helped me. I hope the road ahead keeps you learning.
Best of luck David. I stumbled upon your sfdc99 recently from one of my many google searches for some pretty complex Salesforce questions. Your tutorials were so detailed in many area so that I ended up solving the problem on my own (that’s learning my friend). Your contributions are enormous as I read the multiple comments about your sfdc99 site! However, you can learn all new things and teach all over again whatever you will be pursuing next. Good luck and “see” you around :-)
Hey David- I am loss of words………….
You are my true inspiration for getting me into Salesforce.
May be one day you will change your decision. We all are waiting for that. But best of luck man for your future…..
Man, I’m sorry, but happy for you. Most people stumble through life not knowing where the road will take us. When you gain some clarity, it is like a breath of fresh air.
I do hope the site stays around as well.
We are going to miss you so much !! … This is a wonderful website for Salesforce newbies like me. Thanks a lot for this & for solving my queries with clarity… :D :D … God bless you & your family .. my best wishes to you for reaching great heights … Always going to remember you for your wonderful contribution… I would be very glad if this site is kept as it is or Salesforce archives this… & Also would be very happy if you continue, if possible for you, to share your experiences of your new life-chapter, ..because, buddy.. you are so a great motivation… !! :D :D
Best of luck to you! On behalf of many, we hope that the site stays around. It is invaluable and some of us might be able to pitch in some money to keep the site around.
Having a baby? ;)
Now that is out of the way –
Good luck with whatever you do- You have been a great inspiration and have inspired many people
This site has loads of information and the way you present is unmatched- Will take your site compared to any other book- any day
All the best
David,
I’m excited for you as you start a new chapter to your life, and equally sad as I have found your site to be invaluable over the last year or so.
I believe I’ve follow your site since you started it, and would love to take on the burden if you are looking for someone to maintain it and continue to contribute.
Thank you so much David for giving us SFDC99.
Thanks David. Your words meant a lot (“You definitely have the curiosity to become a great admin/dev, keep up the good work…”) and your help with SOQL has really helped here and taken some work off IT. Maybe someday I’ll be doing more Java/Apex, still have a lot to learn. I hope you blog about whatever you do next.
Is this a April Fool Prank!!!!
Nooooooooooooooooooooo! Sorry, but that’s my selfish first thought. Of course, I wish you all the best! I remember you saying at Dreamforce that this site is expensive to maintain, so if you need us to rise up and get Salesforce to support the archiving of the site or something just let us know! Your infectious enthusiasm and encouragement is an inspiration to us all. Thanks for all of your work and I hope you are taking some much deserved down time before your next career!
This site is what gave me my breakthrough moment with Apex. Thank you.
You’ll be missed.
Thanks a ton David for creating such an amazing website.You will be missed! All the best for your future endeavors
All the best in your new career direction, David! We all really appreciate the efforts you made to help us. I, too, hope your site will remain up for a while; even without new content, it is really valuable to be able to review the existing content. Thank you again and best of luck!
Thank you David, for being one of the coolest MVPs and writing your blog for us who aspire to be like you! Thanks for showing me around campus and being a good friend, I still refer to your blog from time to time, and I know that wherever you go next, you will be super great at it! Take care and talk to you soon.
All the best to you David. This site has been a fantastic resource. I just earned my Admin certification thanks to the information. I’d be honored to carry the torch as I contine my career and certification paths.
May God Bless You David..
You are Rocking Person.
Hey David,
Thank you so much for all the things which you did for us.
Be happy… god bless you
Hope we’ll meet in future.
Thanks
Viru
Hi David,
I’m posting from Ireland, just one of the distant countries you’ve reached.
I found your blog last year after floundering around in the ether looking for a introduction to APEX. I was looking for a less formal, more engaging approach and boy did I hit the mother-load when I found the SFDC99 site. Live and constantly evolving. This coupled with intuitive tutorials and brimming with pop-culture references made the challenging concepts far easier to understand …. and using Star Wars references they’re never going to date either.
Your approach in creating a site with no judgement and an always positive attitude has been an inspiration. The Salesforce community is generally more helpful than those of other systems I’ve worked on. Far more open to helping others and sharing information – but you are in a league all of your own. You’ve set a ridiculously high standard among an already impressive group of people.
Like everyone else here I’m genuinely saddened to see you’re moving on, but as you’ve know doubt seen from all the other replies here I can only echo the sentiments expressed by everyone else and wish you all the best.
It takes a lot of energy and a massive time commitment to produce the wealth of information you’ve created here, and as you’re own interests evolve and change its understandable that you need to focus on whatever challenges you’ve set yourself. I’m sure whatever you choose to invest your time in now and in the future will be an epic success.
Thank you sincerely for all the work you’ve done championing us and pushing us. It’s been a great journey.
I hope you’ll keep us posted on how you’re doing.
And one last thought. If you ever need anything that someone in the SFDC99 community might be able to help you with, ask. I think you’ll find you’ve helped experts in a wide range of industries and fields and people will jump at a chance to return the favour.
Rock on David.
Slán Leat agus go raibh míle maith agat!
I am eagerly waiting for integration tutorials :D
Thanks for all your help David! This site has (and hopefully will continue to be) an invaluable resource in helping to learn the SFDC platform. Best of luck on your next adventure and hope our paths cross again some day!
David,
Though I respect your decision but I have to say that I also feel that it was a deep sorrow thinking of nothing updated at sfdc99 anymore. Not because the benefits it brings to me and others out there, but it was a string that keep us in touch. Lastly I was waiting for the new post but nothing happened, I was wondering why such the long. Now I know.
Anyway, I’m very appreciated your kind for raising such a great site for everyone. It’s like a torch enlightening and inspiring people. Keep doing it that way to whichever routes you chose my big idol.
Wish you all the best on your new chapter. Hopefully it would be very interesting and makes you happy!
Hi everyone, we’ll never find out such an awesome site like David’s one out there though so many, but here is some of them that can help you keep you on track and stick with SF development. We still remember sfdc99 as one of the iconic site for force.com developers. And try to be the David second version. You never know one day you will have a chance to pay it forward like David always advise.
http://blog.jeffdouglas.com/2015/03/18/17-sites-every-force-com-developer-should-bookmark/
All the best David.!
Cheers,
Hiep.
“As we express our gratitude,
we must never forget that
the highest appreciation
is not to utter words,
but to live by them.” ~JFK
David, I am having a hard time finding the “right” words to describe the impact you have had on me. The fact that you are so willing to share ALL that you know, so that it may help to move others forward and give them a shot at finding success, that they may not have had otherwise and also the fact that you do it with such Positive Energy and Kindness, has helped me and sooo many others find the Courage to step through the door you have opened up for us! I will never be able to “Thank you” enough for being such an inspiring role model for us all!! I think I can safely say, that I not only speak for myself, but for the others on this site, when I say that we will back up the words of gratitude expressed here, with the action of becoming Developers who will in some way, pay it forward, just like you did for us!! You will be greatly missed my friend!
~Stay Gold Ponyboy
Thanks for all your work. Best wishes and good luck with your next chapter!
“Every student has a favorite teacher………….” Your site has helped me in so many ways. Your words of encouragement and guidance are priceless. There is a saying that the cream always rises to the top so i am confident that no matter what you are planning you will continue to be a rock star. You will always be one for me!!
Best of luck David! Thanks for all the work you put into this site and your responses to questions. Your work has helped a ton of people including myself.
Hey David,
We have blessed you each day for the selfless crusade you have been carrying on to help people through this website. Over a period of time we go to attached to this site and in proxy to you, that your note brought tears to my eyes. GOD BLESS YOU IN ALL YOUR ENDEAVOURS. PEOPLE LIKE YOU WILL TASTE NOTHING BUT SUPREME SUCCESS IN WHATEVER THEY DO.
If you could continue this site, even if the updates are few, try it, if can’t everybody will understand.
CHEERS TO THE MAN WHO HELPED SHAPE LOT OF CAREERS !!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for all of your help, David! This is the best site I’ve ever seen for explaining Salesforce development to simple folks like myself … to make SOQL & Apex accessible, no small feat. Best of luck with everything! Hope you start a new blog for whatever you’re working on next !
Best wishes David! Thanks for the inspiring words and posts! Still stay in touch!
David,
You have made a huge difference in Salsforce Community with all that you have done, and it will not be same without you. It’s really hard to believe that it is coming to an end but I am sure you will do Awesome no matter wherever you go and whatever you do. Good luck to you for all your future endeavors and a BIG THANK YOU once again!
Sounds exciting. For someone so enthusiastic about the platform you must have found something really great to pull you away.
I just want to comment to say thank you for all of the effort you put in to this site and the community in general. This has been my main resource on my path to learning Salesforce. Truthfully speaking, at the time when I found your website it seemed like Salesforce as a company didn’t really put much effort in to building a path forward for new users on the platform. The options at that point seemed to be pay a small fortune for guided training or figure it out yourself with the massive amount of training PDFs (I think I had one at some point that was 4000 pages).
Having someone just point out which resources were the most valuable saved me so much time, and the forums helped me work through some difficult implementation work.
I think your timing is pretty great though, as Salesforce is making an effort to really improve their learning materials.
Good luck in your future endeavors! Thanks again!
David Liu, Master Plumber?!?
Whatever you’re doing, I’m sure you’ll thrive. Wish you all the best, man. Thanks for helping me get started in SFDC.
It feels like my best friend’s going far far away to another planet with no point of communication. I do hope it’s a joke but if it isn’t, David, good luck. Like you said, life comes in different seasons, others say chapters. You’ve served us, inspired us and extended your help to us regarding our SFDC careers. Thank you. I hope that your new endeavor will be even brighter and better for you. Let your light shine :)
Hey David..Why Man Why:(:(:(:(:(
Plz Don’t leave us..we need U and ur company buddy.
You can’t do this to ur lovers..Would request you to
Plz be in touch nd keep on boosting all of us like U always do:):)
God Bless you ma STAR..U Rock!! Could u plz share what is the reason of leaving Salesforce world nd not continuing sfdc99 anymore ma friend.
Your well wisher,
Never Give Up
All the best, David!
New reader here, but was impressed with the content/language here.
I have just begun blogging on SFDC over my site. It’s been a good ride so far as I look away from the Siebel world.
Truly respect your decision but I also echo the words of others in requesting that you leave the site up. I’m literally just starting my coding adventure with a great group of other students who are utilizing the site and it would be a tremendous blow to us to lose access to your vast knowledge and experience.
Hey david! this the site I love to access each time.
Wish you more success and joy in future.
Ravi
Good luck for whatever you do David. I was hoping to see you at Dreamforce this year but I guess that’s not happening anymore =(
Hi David.
Good Luck on your next adventure.
I have the same question as Nikhil: Will the site continue to be up? I use the tutorials as a reference often and would like to know if I need to start “documenting” some of the information, or will it still up available to use?
Awww David! I wish you lots of happiness and fun! All the best to you and thank you for everything you’ve shared! Sophie
Hey David,
I just hope that it is a “April Fool” trick that you are planning to play with us all (4 days in advance).
If it’s not then, I am really sad to hear this. Can’t imagine not logging into SFDC99 everyday to learn new things or to be inspired to reach new levels.
I have learn a lot on SF after I came across your site, don’t know if I will be able to find again a site and a site owner like SFDC99 and David Liu respectively again.
All the best in future endeavors. Keep in touch.
Regards,
Amit
All the best David for your future endeavors!!! Am sure you will excel wherever you go!! Hoping to see a new blog of your new work soon! :)
Also a big shout to you- Thankyou so much for SFDC99!!!
Its the best thing which could happen to a newbie in Salesforce, just like me!
All the Best David for your new journey! May God shower his never ending Blessings on you!!
We’ll miss you a lot!
But one suggestion, please let sfdc99 be there as it is now in point of time (as far as Salesforce is concerned) and keep on sharing the joys & experiences of your new journey with all of us, so that at least we can feel your presence in our lives and
keep on getting motivated from our role model, and saying to myself if David can be child learner again, then why i can’t be ?
Please do think about this once again!
Best of luck!!!
God Bless you!
All the best in your new career
@David, What happens with you ?? You are really a hero for all New Salesforce Developers like me which start their career with in last one or two years. I don’t know why you are thinking like that , you will be no longer available for sdfc99?
Best of luck for your new journey , you always rock my friend and in every fields . Thanks for build sdfc99 :)
pretty sad :( but happy u inspired and helped spark that star in me !!! happy exploring BIG man with BIG heart !!!
So sad :( You’ve been an inspriration for many.
Anyway, good luck with your adventure!
Just out of curiosity, may I ask, what is the new career path?
pretty sad :( but happy u inspired and helped spark that star in me !!! happy exploring BIG man with BIG heart !!! You taught us the best way to learn is by teaching other :) You are a STAR !!
Thank you David for creating this website which created a passion for code in those who were confused from where to start learning Salesforce Development it gave us a corect path to learn. However it would not be easy to continue without your guidance. Really going to miss this website and your comments on it.One day I would be a Salesforce Developer and the reason would be sfdc99.
Have a great career ahead. God bless to you and your family.
Hey David, On one hand where I am sad at getting to know that SFDC is coming to an end, I am happy at the other for you, as you venture in a new direction you mentioned.
I was wondering whether this website sfdc99.com be accessible for some time or will this also go ?
I hope that it stays put (and I’m sure it will)!
That was one of my first thoughts Brent! Best wishes in your next adventure David. Thanks for passing on your enthusiasm.
Yes, also wondering if the site will be available. I still need to review the lessons.