What is SOQL?
SOQL stands for Salesforce Object Query Language. It is used for retrieving and manipulating data. It is similar to SQL and is used to search Salesforce objects, retrieve specific fields, apply filters, and fetch related data.
Syntax for a SOQL query in Salesforce:
- SELECT field1, field2 FROM object_name WHERE condition
- SELECT :- is used to specify the fields to retrieve from the object.
- FROM :- is used to specify the object name to query.
- WHERE :- is optional and is used to apply conditions to filter the records returned.
SOQL Examples:-
- Retrieve all records from the "Account" object:
- SELECT Id, Name FROM Account
- Querying custom object's records using SOQL
- SELECT Name, Age__c, Gender__c From Patient__c
- Here are the operators commonly used in SOQL:
- OR
- AND
- Using AND and OR together
- Multiple OR conditions
- IN Operator
- LIKE Operator
Using OR:
- SELECT Name, Industry, Type FROM Account WHERE Industry = 'Technology' OR Type = 'Customer'
Using AND:
- SELECT FirstName, LastName, Email FROM Contact WHERE LastName = 'Smith' AND Email LIKE '%exam'
Using AND and OR Together:
- SELECT Name, StageName, Amount FROM Opportunity WHERE (StageName = 'Closed Won' OR (Amount > 10000 AND Industry = 'Technology'))
Multiple OR Conditions:
- SELECT Name, Industry FROM Account WHERE Industry = 'Technology' OR Industry = 'Finance' OR Industry = 'Healthcare'
Using IN Operator:
- SELECT FirstName, LastName, Department FROM Contact WHERE Department IN ('Marketing')
Using LIKE Operator:
- SELECT FirstName, LastName, Email FROM Lead WHERE Email LIKE '%example.com%'
Conclusion
SOQL is essential in Salesforce development, enabling precise data retrieval. Understanding its syntax and using examples empowers you to craft potent queries for your business needs. Mastering SOQL is crucial for building robust, data-driven solutions in Salesforce, supporting informed decision-making and effective data management.