What Is an API in Salesforce? Everything You Need To Know

The best part about Salesforce is its capability to integrate with various platforms, systems, and applications, but they’re not always suited to the Salesforce environment, so a Salesforce API comes into the picture!

It completes the Salesforce ecosystem by allowing it to coexist with other applications and work in coordination. Let’s explore Salesforce API in detail and understand the different types that will help you!
 

What Is Salesforce API?

First, let’s understand what an API is in general. An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of rules and protocols controlling the interaction between different software applications. It defines how various components of the software systems should interact with the means through which they can exchange information and perform specific tasks.

For example, the Google Maps API provides developers with a set of tools and functionalities to embed Google Maps into their applications or websites. This way, they can access and display maps, obtain location data, calculate routes, and provide real-time navigation. Mainly, travel and booking websites use the Google Map API to show information, search nearby places and provide directions to hotels and other nearby attractions.

So, a Salesforce API is designed for developers to integrate and interact with Salesforce’s various features and functionalities. Using APIs, they can create custom applications, automate business operations, and extend the functionality of Salesforce.
 

Benefits of Salesforce API

Salesforce APIs facilitate seamless integration between Salesforce and other systems and applications. You’ll experience data synchronization, streamlined workflows, and a consistent flow of information across different systems.

Your developers can customize and extend Salesforce functionalities to fit specific business needs by implementing unique business logic and workflows. Plus, it’s easier to manage data with Salesforce and integrate it with external databases. Developers can ensure data accuracy and consistency across multiple platforms.

Speaking of productivity, you can automate repetitive tasks such as data migration, synchronization, and batch operations and improve the efficiency of your org. And finally, Salesforce APIs can integrate with third-party applications, services, and platforms, allowing businesses to connect Salesforce with popular tools. These may include payment gateways, automation platforms, customer support systems, and more.
 

Types of Salesforce APIs

Salesforce uses different kinds of APIs to cater to different integration and development needs.
 

REST API

Salesforce’s REST (Representational State Transfer) API integrates Salesforce with external platforms. It sends HTTP requests and supports JSON and XML data formats. Using REST API, developers can perform CRUD (Create, Read, Update, and Delete) operations, execute SOQL queries, and work with metadata on their Salesforce org.

The REST API uses standard HTTP methods such as GET, PUT, POST, and DELETE for data manipulation.

• The REST API supports querying records based on specific criteria, sorting results, and retrieving related objects. These SOQL queries are sent as HTTP GET requests to the REST API endpoint.
• The API uses OAuth 2.0 for authentication, providing a secure and standardized way to authorize API access. Developers need to get an access token by authenticating with Salesforce and include it in the API requests’ authorization header.
• Developers can specify their preferred format among JSON and XML using the “accept” header in API requests.
• It’s easy to retrieve metadata information about Salesforce objects, fields, layouts, and more, which facilitates customization and configuration of the Salesforce environment.

SOAP API

The SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) API offers a more extensive set of features than the REST API. It uses XML for data exchange and allows performing complex tasks such as creating, retrieving, updating, and deleting records using the SOQL or SOSL query languages.

Moreover, the SOAP API can be used by enterprises to integrate Salesforce with their backend systems. Here are some of the key points you need to know to successfully use the SOAP API for Salesforce:

• Developers can send SOAP requests to specific API endpoints to execute operations such as creating, retrieving, updating, and deleting records across various Salesforce objects.
• The SOAP API supports SOQL and SOSL query languages that can be used to retrieve specific records or perform complex searches.
• The SOAP API uses the Salesforce security model to secure access to Salesforce data. Developers need to authenticate their API requests using SOAP headers, which include the Salesforce username, password, and security token.
• Using SOAP API, developers can work with parent-child relationships, lookups, master-detail relationships, and other intricate data structures.
• It’s easy to retrieve metadata information about objects, fields, layouts, workflows, triggers, and more. Additionally, you can programmatically customize and configure Salesforce environments.
• The SOAP API allows the integration of Salesforce with other systems, such as ERP, CRM, or legacy systems.

Salesforce’s Bulk API

The Salesforce Bulk API can handle large volumes of data at once and process data in batches asynchronously. This makes tasks such as data migration, synchronization, and performing bulk operations very efficient.

• The Bulk API operates on a job-based model, where data processing occurs asynchronously. Developers create a job that defines the operation to be performed (insert, delete, update, etc.) and add batches of data to the job. The job is processed in the background, allowing developers to monitor the job’s status and retrieve results once done.
• By processing large volumes of data, developers can process data in batches containing multiple records without overwhelming the system’s resources.
• Bulk API also supports parallel processing, which allows multiple batches within a job to be processed concurrently. It significantly improves performance and reduces the overall processing time for large datasets.
• It also includes error-handling capabilities that provide detailed error information to help developers identify and handle errors effectively.

Metadata API

The Metadata API is particularly useful for managing the customization of Salesforce orgs, including creating custom fields, objects, workflows, triggers, and deploying configurations. An application deployment tool can leverage the Metadata API to automate the deployment of customizations across different Salesforce environments.

• Developers can retrieve metadata components from a Salesforce organization and retrieve information about objects, fields, layouts, workflows, triggers, classes, and other metadata components.
• It’s easy to deploy metadata changes across different Salesforce environments by creating deployment packages, including changes to metadata components. These packages are then deployed to sandbox or production environments.
• With the Metadata API, developers can programmatically create, update, and delete metadata components within a Salesforce organization.
• It allows developers to track changes made to the metadata component over time. This helps with version control and backups of metadata configurations.
• The Metadata API seamlessly integrates with other Salesforce APIs, such as SOAP API and the Apex API, to build comprehensive solutions for different tasks.

Salesforce’s Apex REST API

The Apex REST API allows developers to expose custom Apex classes and methods as RESTful web services. They can build custom APIs that can be accessed by external systems or applications.

For example, a mobile app can communicate with Salesforce through the Apex REST API to retrieve and update specific data.

• The Apex REST API follows the principles of REST architecture and uses standard HTTP methods such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE for data manipulation. This makes it easy for developers to consume the API and adhere to best practices in RESTful API design.
• Developers can use the Apex REST API to perform data operations on Salesforce records, including creating, retrieving, updating, and deleting records.
• The Apex REST API supports Salesforce’s standard authorization and authentication mechanisms, which includes user authentication, access controls, and permission sets.
• It supports various request and response formats, including JSON and XML. Developers can choose the format based on their preference or the requirements of the consuming application.
• It facilitates seamless integration between Salesforce and external systems.

How to Enable API Access in Salesforce

There are two ways of doing this: using profiles and permission sets.

Enable API Access in Salesforce in the User Profile

1. Go to “Setup.”
2. Navigate to “Manage users” and click “Profiles.”
3. Click “Edit” on the profile you’re updating.
4. Scroll down, and you’ll see “Administrative permissions.” From there, check the “API enabled” box.
5. Click “Save.”

Enable API Access in Salesforce with System Permissions

1. Go to “Setup.”
2. Navigate to “Manage users” and click “Permission sets.”
3. Select the permission set you want to update.
4. Navigate to “System” and select “System permissions.”
5. Click “Edit” and check the “API enabled” box.
6. Click “Save.”

Unlock The Potential of Salesforce with Salesforce APIs

Salesforce APIs are a developer’s holy grail for building next-level applications using Salesforce. In fact, they’re crucial for anyone working with the platform or planning to integrate Salesforce with other systems.

Salesforce APIs cater to diverse integration and development needs and are suitable for enterprise-level integrations. This opens up a world of possibilities for streamlining business processes, building robust applications, and creating a connected ecosystem.

So, familiarize yourself with the essentials of Salesforce APIs and create better solutions for your business!