2024: the year of the developer. The landscape is rife with unprecedented opportunities, and for Salesforce Developers, the prospects are especially exhilarating. The evolution of technology, the proliferation of innovative tools, and the dynamic nature of the Salesforce platform converge to create an environment where developers can truly thrive. There’s really never been a more exciting time to be a Salesforce Developer.
In this article, I put forward five goals that I believe will be important for all Salesforce Developers in 2024. The purpose of these goals are twofold: to help you be a better developer, and to help you showcase just how good of a developer you are!
1. Make Your Life Easier With AI
With so many Generative AI tools out there now, it makes sense for you to brush up on them and recognize which ones you should be utilizing. The stand out is Einstein for Developers, which is an extension for both VS Code and Code Builder that will help you with your code right there in the tool.
The generative AI fun doesn’t stop there though. With tools like ChatGPT, Google Bard, GitHub Copilot, Atlassian Intelligence, Claude, and AlphaCode to name but a few, there is a tool to help you in all aspects of your workflow.
2. Mastering Flow
This one may be a little controversial with some developers. “Apex can do everything, why should I learn Flow?”, I hear you asking. You’re absolutely right, it can. But there is a time and place for Apex, and there’s a time and a place for Flow. The best developers out there can distinguish between the two and use the best job for the task.
Furthermore, you can help develop some best practices in your organization for using Flow. There may be some admins in your team who don’t test their flows within Flow Builder, so why not help change that? Show them how to test flows effectively, and explain to them why testing is so important. Help them become better admins, which in turn will make your life as a developer easier.
3. Lightning Web Components
Lightning Web Components, or LWC, serve as a contemporary UI framework within the Salesforce platform, enabling developers to construct custom interfaces and functionalities akin to assembling reusable Lego blocks.
LWC is gaining prominence among Salesforce developers for several reasons. These include:
Lightweight and Efficient
LWC outshines older frameworks like Aura by delivering enhanced performance, resulting in quicker loading times and more responsive user interactions.
Modern Syntax and Tools
Leveraging standard web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, LWC is user-friendly for developers acquainted with modern web development principles. Salesforce DX and the Lightning Web Security model ensure a seamless and secure development experience.
Reusable and Modular
LWC components are designed to be highly reusable and modular, fostering the construction of intricate applications through the combination of well-defined blocks. This approach enhances code maintainability and facilitates collaboration.
Rich Feature Set
With a comprehensive library of built-in components and features like data binding, event handling, lifecycle hooks, and routing, LWC eliminates the need for redundant code, streamlining the development process.
Future-Proof
Salesforce’s substantial investment in LWC establishes it as a future-proof choice for application development on the platform. Investing in LWC ensures the longevity and relevance of your skills for years to come.
Key Use Cases
The following are some key business use cases for utilizing LWCs:
- Building custom Lightning pages and apps.
- Creating reusable UI components for various functionalities.
- Integrating external data sources and services.
- Constructing dynamic and interactive dashboards and reports.
- Implementing custom business logic and workflows.
Whether you’re an experienced Salesforce developer or just starting, acquiring skills in LWC proves invaluable. Its user-friendly nature, performance advantages, and future-proof characteristics make it the preferred option for crafting exceptional user experiences on the Salesforce platform.
To learn more about LWCs you can make use of the following resources:
4. Get Certified
Most Salesforce Developers out there will be Platform Developer I certified, which is an amazing thing to have on your CV. But does that showcase just how good you really are?
Do you have really advanced Apex coding skills? Why not go for the Salesforce Platform Developer II cert? Are you a star when it comes to utilizing JavaScript? Why not go for the Salesforce JavaScript Developer I cert? Do you have a specialism such as Marketing Cloud or OmniStudio development? Guess what, there are certs for those too!
5. Sharing
This is something that I don’t see as much from the developer community as I do from say the admin one. Some of the things you Salesforce Developers out there build are truly amazing! Shout about it, put it out there, and let people see just how cool the things you are able to build really are. Who knows, I may even reach out asking if I can write about them like I did with the Flow Visualizer extension for VS Code that was created by Salesforce MVP and golden hoodie recipient Todd Halfpenny.
Summary
And there we have it, my five goals for every Salesforce Developer in 2024. Are you looking forward to the upcoming year? Share your goals for 2024 with us in the comments section and share your thoughts!
For more insights into what to anticipate in 2024, explore Ben’s article on Salesforce job trends.
