Platform App Builder Intro

My Bio and Getting Started

  • At time of recording, MW is 6x certified and works daily as a Salesforce developer and solution architect.
  • Platform App Builder was previously known as DEV 401, which was a beginner level developer certification.
    • This certification does not require code, stop just short of actual code.
    • Tests “declarative” knowledge of platform extensively.
    • Still considered a beginner developer certification.
    • One of the main distinctions between old DEV 401 certification and new Platform App Builder certification is the focus on Lightning and Mobile.
  • There are no prerequisite certifications for Platform App Builder. DEV 401 was the first Salesforce course that MW ever took.
    • MW’s training course, on which these notes are based, are copyright 2017, Mike Wheeler Media, LLC.

Signing Up for a Free Salesforce Account and Switching from Lightning to Classic

  • Google “Free Salesforce Account” -> Free Developer Edition link

About the Platform App Builder Certification – Formerly Dev 401

  • Platform App Builder is part of both “Administrator” and “Developer” certification career paths
    • Focused on “declarative programming” aspects within Salesforce (clicks to code)
    • MW recommends getting Administrator certified before pursuing Platform App Builder
    • MW said Advanced Administrator is intended for people who intend to remain administrators:
      • Territory management, collaborative forecasting, other “rare,” specific functionality some orgs might be interested in
    • MW felt he dove into the technical Developer courses too soon - he should have taken Admin courses sooner
    • Platform App Builder was perviously “DEV 401”
  • Per MW, “Sales Cloud Consultant” and “Service Cloud Consultant” certifications make cert holders marketable to Salesforce Partner companies
  • Over time, Salesforce is splitting up previously large courses (developer -> dev 1, dev 2, technical architect -> multiple architect certs)
  • Per MW, he will not provide “exam dumps” as it would cheapen everyone’s certifications and hard work, and Salesforce would likely strip MW of his certifications

The Platform App Builder Exam Guide

  • Official Exam Guide
    • MW thinks that Salesforce uses the maintenance exams are used to vet new exam questions
    • Maintenance exams are unproctored, open-book, “open-internet” exams
      • Renew 3 times per year
      • Per MW, these are Salesforce’s way of keeping certification holders up to date on the platform
      • If you fail to renew, the certifications will no longer be active on file
    • Per MW, there appears to be a 2-3 release cycle lag between new feature release and their showing up on the actual certification exam
  • Exam Outline in January, 2021 - same weightings as MW’s exam outline (Winter 17)
    • 27% - Business Logic and Process Automation
    • 20% - Data Modeling and Management
    • 14% - User Interface
    • 10% - Security
    • 8% - App Development
    • 8% - Salesforce Fundamentals
    • 5% - Mobile
    • 5% - Reporting
    • 3% - Social

Signing In and Completing the Lightning Experience Migration Assistant

  • In 2021, Lightning Experience is the default Salesforce experience.
  • Lightning Experience Migration Assistant is useful for companies who are established in Salesforce Classic
  • Per MW, Salesforce Trailhead is a useful supplement to his courses. Trails are text heavy and reading-intensive.

Switching from Salesforce Classic to Lightning Experience

Salesforce Lightning Experience Interface Quick Tour

  • Global Actions are available near the cog icon for settings (plus sign)

Salesforce Classic Interface Quick Tour

Accessing the Setup Menu and Reviewing Your Company Information

Helpful Practice Activity – Setting up Your User Account

  • MW recommends setting the “Send Apex Warning Emails” checkbox on your user record for any new “engagement” with a client organization
    • Other important user checkboxes:
      • Development Mode
      • Show View State in Development Mode
  • MW reiterates that default user profiles should not be used in real-world orgs, with exception of System Administrator