Salesforce + JavaScript: How Should Salesforce Developers Upskill?

Salesforce is a leading customer relationship management (CRM) software that has been used by businesses of all sizes and industries for many years. It is known for its ease of use, customizable and robust features that enable companies to improve their sales, marketing, customer service, and other business processes. The dedicated clouds it supports these days are endless: automotive Cloud being a super exciting one. 

In recent years, Salesforce has been changing the game from being a classic Oracle-based platform to a modern and even more attractive solution in the corporate world. Now we enter the age of the Generalist, and with so many tasks soon to be done by AI or with AI assistance, the more capable you are at adapting, the better a candidate and you’ll be at your workplace. This is where Salesforce JavaScript careers appeal so well to other developers who without this push from Salesforce not necessarily link the solution to JavaScript. This makes JavaScript the perfect option for upskilling. Success!

Getting Started

Most developers in the ecosystem understand that specializations are the key to standing out in the industry. Whether that be having specialist knowledge of certain practices like DevOps, or knowing their way around particular Clouds, just having the title is not quite the same anymore!

The possibilities to specialize are almost endless, and a good place for developers to start looking is the world of product integrations. For example, a freelancer who is often looking for clients and gigs in the Salesforce ecosystem has the potential to find super interesting long term projects with integrations. One of these integrations is – you guessed it – JavaScript.

With Salesforce now supporting JavaScript, it is easier for developers with expertise in this language to integrate their skills into the Salesforce ecosystem. JavaScript is a very versatile programming language that is widely used in web development, and now one of the most in-demand programming languages in the industry – it’s a perfect tool for professionals in Salesforce to tap into. 

Why Is JavaScript Important?

This move is significant for Salesforce because it opens up the platform to a new pool of developers who may have previously been hesitant to use it due to its lack of support for JavaScript. This is particularly relevant as more and more companies are adopting Salesforce as their primary CRM platform.

For developers who are new to Salesforce, the addition of JavaScript support means that they can leverage their existing skills to build custom functionality for their Salesforce applications. They can use JavaScript to add interactive elements to their applications, enhance the user experience, and build complex workflows that are not possible with standard Salesforce tools.

This is important for companies that are looking to build more sophisticated and customized solutions on the Salesforce platform. With access to a wider pool of developers, these companies can build applications that are more tailored to their specific business needs.

Overall, the addition of JavaScript support is a significant development for the Salesforce platform. It opens up new opportunities for developers and technology professionals who are looking to build custom solutions on the platform. With more developers now able to use their existing skills in Salesforce, it is likely that we will see more innovation and customization on the platform in the coming years. 

JavaScript’s Possibilities

Once Salesforce Developers begin to realize just what JavaScript can do, it opens up a world of possibilities. From customizing functionality to improving the user experience, there really is a lot that can be learned.

Here is an example of a Salesforce Lightning Web Component (LWC) written in JavaScript that queries the Salesforce database for accounts with email addresses matching “[customer@email.com](mailto:customer@email.com)”:

JavaScript Code

javascriptCopy code
import { LightningElement, wire } from 'lwc';
import { getRecord } from 'lightning/uiRecordApi';
import { getObjectInfo } from 'lightning/uiObjectInfoApi';
import ACCOUNT_OBJECT from '@salesforce/schema/Account';

const FIELDS = ['Account.Name', 'Account.Email'];

export default class AccountList extends LightningElement {
    accountId;
    error;

    @wire(getObjectInfo, { objectApiName: ACCOUNT_OBJECT })
    accountInfo;

    @wire(getRecord, {
        recordId: '$accountId',
        fields: FIELDS
    })
    accountRecord({ error, data }) {
        if (error) {
            this.error = error;
        } else if (data) {
            this.error = null;
            const account = data.fields;
            if (account.Email.value === 'customer@email.com') {
                // account email matches
                console.log('Matched Account: ' + account.Name.value);
            }
        }
    }

    connectedCallback() {
        // query for account with matching email
        const query = 'SELECT Id FROM Account WHERE Email = 'customer@email.com' LIMIT 1';
        this.executeQuery(query);
    }

    executeQuery(query) {
        const action = { query };
        // execute query via Apex controller
        // replace 'apexControllerName' with your actual Apex controller name
        apexControllerName.getAccountList(action)
            .then(result => {
                if (result && result.length > 0) {
                    this.accountId = result[0].Id;
                }
            })
            .catch(error => {
                this.error = error;
            });
    }
}

JavaScript code

This component uses the “getRecord” wire adapter to query the Salesforce database for a specific account record that matches the email address “[customer@email.com](mailto:customer@email.com)”. It also uses the “getObjectInfo” wire adapter to get metadata information for the account object.

The “connectedCallback” function is called when the component is initialized, and it executes a SOQL query for the Account record with a matching email address via an Apex controller method named “getAccountList”. The result of the query is then used to set the “accountId” property, which triggers the “accountRecord” wire adapter to fetch the record details.

If a matching account record is found, the “accountRecord” wire adapter checks if the email address matches “[customer@email.com](mailto:customer@email.com)”. If it does, the account name is logged to the console.

Note that this code is just an example and may need to be customized to fit your specific use case. Additionally, you will need to create an Apex controller with a method named “getAccountList” to handle the SOQL query.

Transitioning Your Career with JavaScript

If you’re a full stack JavaScript Developer looking for your next career move, you may want to consider joining the Salesforce ecosystem that now offers a wide range of career opportunities for developers with JavaScript skills.

There are many benefits to moving into the Salesforce ecosystem as a full stack JavaScript Developer. Here are a few to consider.

Pros

• High Demand for Salesforce Developers: As more and more companies adopt Salesforce as their primary CRM platform, the demand for skilled developers who can build custom solutions on the platform is increasing. This means that there are plenty of job opportunities for developers with JavaScript skills who are willing to learn the Salesforce platform.
• Opportunity for Growth: The Salesforce ecosystem offers a wide range of career paths, from development to architecture, project management, and more. This means that you can grow your career in many different directions and find a role that fits your interests and strengths.
• Collaborative Environment: Salesforce is known for its strong community of developers, which means that you can learn from and collaborate with other developers to build better solutions.
• Integration With Other Systems: Salesforce is designed to integrate with other systems and platforms, which means that you can use your JavaScript skills to build integrations with other systems and expand your skill set.
• Competitive Salary: Salesforce Developers are in high demand, and as a result, they typically earn a competitive salary. According to the Mason Frank Salary Guide, entry-level Salesforce Developers typically earn around $116,000 – moving up to $155,000 with seniority.

Cons

• Learning Curve: If you’re new to the Salesforce platform, there will be a learning curve as you get up to speed with the platform’s tools and architecture. However, with your JavaScript skills, you should be able to learn the platform relatively quickly.
• Certification Requirements: To work as a Salesforce Developer, you will need to obtain certain certifications that demonstrate your knowledge of the platform. This can be a time-consuming and expensive process, but it is a worthwhile investment in your career.
• Limited Flexibility: Salesforce is a proprietary platform, which means that there are some limitations on what you can do with it. However, the platform is highly customizable, and with your JavaScript skills, you should be able to build custom solutions that meet your needs.

Summary

In conclusion, if you’re a full stack JavaScript developer looking for your next career move, the Salesforce ecosystem offers a wide range of opportunities for growth, collaboration, and a competitive salary. While there is a learning curve and certification requirements to consider, these are worthwhile investments in your career as a developer. With your JavaScript skills and a willingness to learn the Salesforce platform, you can build custom solutions that help businesses improve their sales, marketing, and customer service processes.