PDI Questions and Answers

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is the best model for the scenario described because it provides on-demand access to compute, storage, and networking resources that are ideal for a scalable server cluster. IaaS allows the engineering team to rent infrastructure resources without having to invest in physical hardware, making it perfect for temporary or fluctuating workloads, such as scalability testing.

Key Characteristics of IaaS:

Full control over the operating systems and applications running on the servers.

Flexible resource allocation to support high scalability.

Ideal for custom software testing where specific server configurations may be needed.

Why not the other options?

PaaS (Platform as a Service):While PaaS is excellent for application development and deployment, it abstracts the infrastructure layer, which would limit the engineering team's control over the cluster's configuration.

SaaS (Software as a Service):SaaS delivers fully managed applications, not infrastructure or testing environments. It’s irrelevant for this use case.

BaaS (Backend as a Service):BaaS is tailored to mobile or web application backend development, providing APIs and pre-built services, not infrastructure for a server cluster.

Platform Developer References:While this question is broader than Salesforce-specific concepts, understanding IaaS vs. PaaS is relevant when working with Salesforce development. For example:

Salesforce operates as a PaaS (e.g., Force.com platform), allowing developers to build and deploy applications without managing underlying servers.

Testing scalability and performance at an infrastructure level (as in the question) would fall under IaaS concepts, which Salesforce developers might encounter when integrating external services or infrastructure like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.

This foundational knowledge complements your understanding of cloud services in the Salesforce ecosystem.

The quickest way to make Visualforce pages styled like Lightning Experience is by incorporating SLDS. This provides consistent styling without rewriting the applications.

Why not other options?

A: Rewriting all Visualforce pages as Lightning components is time-consuming and not efficient.

B: There is no attribute enableLightning in Visualforce.

C: Enabling Lightning Experience compatibility does not apply styling automatically.

References:

Salesforce Lightning Design System (SLDS)

Option A: Using variable binding eliminates the need for concatenating dynamic values in the query, which is the safest approach.

Option B: Using String.escapeSingleQuotes ensures special characters are handled safely, reducing the risk of SOQL injection.

Not Suitable:

Option C: While with sharing ensures sharing rules are applied, it does not prevent SOQL injection.

Option D: Regular expressions are not a reliable method for sanitizing input.

B: @testSetup inserts data once and shares it across all test methods in the class, saving system resources.

D: @isTest(SeeAllData=true) is incompatible with @testSetup due to their differing purposes for managing test data.

Upload the SVG file as a static resource in Salesforce.

Import it in the LWC JavaScript file and define it as a property.

Reference the property in the component’s HTML template.

Example:

import mySvg from '@salesforce/resourceUrl/mySvg';

export default class MyComponent extends LightningElement {

svgUrl = mySvg;

}

A Global Picklist Value Set allows the same set of picklist values to be shared across multiple objects, making maintenance easier and ensuring consistency.

Why not other options?

B: Alphabetical ordering does not ensure consistent value maintenance across objects.

C: Validation rules do not streamline picklist value maintenance.

D: Restricting picklist values helps ensure data integrity but does not streamline maintenance across objects.

References:

Global Picklists Documentation

C: The Bulk API is designed for importing or exporting large volumes of data and works efficiently in development environments, but it respects storage limits.

D: Developer and Developer Pro sandboxes have different storage limits. Developer Pro has a larger storage limit compared to a Developer sandbox.

Why not other options?

A: Bulk API does not bypass storage limits.

B: The Data Import Wizard is a web-based tool, not an application installed on your computer.

References:

Salesforce Data Import and Export

Salesforce Bulk API

Option A: Using a Test Data Factory class is a recommended approach to create test records programmatically. This ensures that the test is independent of existing data and can be executed in isolation.

Option B: The @IsTest(SeeAllData=true) annotation allows the test to access existing records in the database, including Pricing_Structure__c. However, this is less recommended as it creates a dependency on existing org data.

Not Suitable:

Option C: Test.loadData is used to load records from a static resource (CSV) but doesn't suit the requirement directly.

Option D: Adding without sharing to a class impacts sharing rules but does not create or ensure the existence of test data.

A: Declarative development does not require Apex test classes since it leverages built-in Salesforce features such as flows, process builders, and validation rules.

C: Declarative development can be done using the Setup menu, which includes point-and-click tools like page layouts, workflows, and Lightning App Builder.

Why not other options?

B: Declarative development has strict limits (e.g., process builders and flows have governor limits that are lower than programmatic approaches like Apex).

D: Declarative logic still requires maintenance, especially as business needs evolve.

References:

Declarative vs Programmatic Development

Why Controller?

A custom controller allows:

Complex validation involving multiple objects.

Redirection to another Visualforce page upon success.

Controllers can implement custom save logic and redirect using PageReference.

Why Not Other Options?

A. Apex: Apex is the underlying programming language, but a controller specifically handles the Visualforce logic.

B. Trigger: Triggers execute on DML events, not on button clicks in Visualforce.

D. Extension: Extensions enhance standard controllers but are not necessary here since a custom controller is being built.

Controllers and Extensions: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.pages.meta/pages/pages_controller_custom.htm

References:

Declaring the constant as static ensures it is shared across all instances of the class.

Declaring it as final ensures its value cannot be modified after initialization.

Scratch orgs are created using the Salesforce CLI (sfdx force:org:create) as part of Salesforce DX. It is specifically designed for development and testing purposes.

Why not other options?

B: Sandbox refresh is used for creating sandboxes, not scratch orgs.

C: Developer Console is used for debugging and code development but cannot create scratch orgs.

D: Workbench is a tool for API testing and data manipulation, not for scratch org creation.

References:

Salesforce CLI and Scratch Orgs

The recordSetVar attribute of the tag allows a Visualforce page to handle multiple records, which is ideal for list buttons that display a page for bulk editing.

Why not other options?

A: Standard controllers can be extended, but using recordSetVar is the direct and best-supported method for this scenario.

B: There is no such concept as a "Custom List Controller" in Visualforce.

C: is not a valid Visualforce tag.

References:

Visualforce Standard Controller with RecordSetVar

A. Roll-up summary fields can cause the parent record to go through Save:

When a roll-up summary field on a parent object (like Account) is updated due to changes in child records (like Branch), the parent record (Account) is implicitly saved again.

This can result in the execution of the trigger on the parent object. Developers must consider this behavior to avoid unintended recursion or infinite loops.

Option C: Roll-up summary fields can cause triggers to fire again as they recalculate parent records.

Option D: After-save record-triggered flows can update records, which may fire triggers on those records.

Using a formula field is the most efficient solution to calculate the ratio between rejected and approved timesheets. It minimizes maintenance overhead by dynamically calculating the value based on the existing roll-up summary fields.

Example Formula:

Total_Rejected_Timesheets__c / Total_Approved_Timesheets__c

Option B: Using Schema.sObjectType.Account.isDeletable() checks if the current user has permission to delete records of the Account object. This approach adheres to Salesforce's security model.

Not Suitable:

Option A: accountRec.isDeletable() is not a valid method.

Option C: Incorrect syntax for checking permissions.

Option D: Account.isDeletable does not exist.

B. Updates to FeedItem:

Triggers can fire when FeedItem records are updated, such as posts on records or Chatter updates.

C. Cascading delete operations:

When a parent record is deleted, cascading delete operations on related child records can trigger child object triggers.

Why Not Other Options?

A: Changing a user's default division does not fire triggers.

D: Renaming or replacing a picklist entry does not fire triggers.

Trigger Events: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_triggers_context_variables_considerations.htm

References:

In Apex, a class can extend a virtual class (similar to abstract classes in Java) by using the extends keyword. This allows the subclass (CustomerOrder) to inherit properties and methods from the parent virtual class (OrderRequest).

Advantages of Lightning Web Components (LWC):

A. Rich component ecosystem:

LWCs have a modern, rich component library designed for modular and reusable development.

D. Self-contained and reusable units:

LWCs are designed to be modular, reusable, and self-contained, reducing duplication and enhancing maintainability.

Why Not Other Options?

B. Log capturing via Debug Logs Setup page: This is unrelated to LWC and is a debugging feature.

C. Built-in standard and custom set controllers: Relevant to Visualforce, not LWCs.

LWC Documentation: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/component-library/documentation/en/lwc

References:

Roll-Up Summary Field:

Since the relationship between Order and Order Line Item is a Master-Detail, a Roll-Up Summary field can be used on the Order object.

The MAX function in a Roll-Up Summary field calculates the latest date (the maximum value) among all the availability dates on the Order Line Items.

Why MAX Roll-Up Summary Field Works:

The latest availability date among the Order Line Items will determine when the entire Order can be shipped.

Why Not Other Options?

A and B: There is no such formula called "LATEST" or "CEILING" applicable to date fields.

C: A COUNT Roll-Up Summary is irrelevant for calculating dates.

Roll-Up Summary Fields: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.object_reference.meta/object_reference/roll_up_summary_fields.htm

References:

sObject: SOQL queries can return single or multiple records as sObject instances.

List: SOQL queries often return results as a List of sObject.

Double: SOQL aggregate queries can return numeric data types like Double (e.g., COUNT, SUM).

Option A: The tag ensures that scripts are loaded only once, even if referenced multiple times.

Option D: The tag allows you to specify the order of scripts to ensure dependencies are loaded correctly.

Option E: Externally hosted scripts can be loaded using the scripts attribute.

Not Suitable:

Option B (Loading scripts in parallel): Scripts are loaded sequentially to ensure proper dependency handling.

Option C (Loading Files from Documents): Files must be hosted externally or in static resources, not in Documents.

When writing test classes, accessing the Standard Price Book is essential for creating OpportunityLineItem records.

The method Test.getStandardPricebookId() is specifically designed to retrieve the Standard Price Book ID in a test class context. This ensures you can work with the price book without requiring @isTest(SeeAllData=true).

Why not other options?

B: @isTest(SeeAllData=true) is not recommended because it violates Salesforce best practices by accessing actual org data.

C: @TestVisible is used for visibility between classes but does not relate to retrieving Standard Price Book.

D: Test.loadData() loads test data from static resources but is unnecessary for accessing the Standard Price Book.

References:

Salesforce Testing Framework

Apex Testing Best Practices

Best practices in Apex development for triggers and service layers include:

Avoiding DML operations and queries in loops.

Handling bulk processing efficiently.

Option A ensures compliance by performing all updates at the end, reducing the risk of hitting governor limits.

Why Lookup on Account to Global Address?

An Account can reference a single default Global Address via a lookup field, allowing multiple Accounts to share the same address.

This is more efficient than the reverse (lookup on Global Address to Account), as Global Address is the parent in this relationship.

Avoiding Master-Detail:

Lookup relationships provide flexibility in this use case since Accounts and Global Addresses have independent lifecycles.

Example:Create a custom lookup field on Account referencing the Global Address object.

Option B: To update a junction object, the user needs Read/Write access to the primary relationship object.

Option C: The user must also have Read/Write access on the junction object itself.

Option B: Reusing event logic in the helper ensures cleaner and reusable code.

Option D: Handling low-level events in handlers and re-firing them as higher-level events allows for better abstraction and modularity.

@InvocableMethod Requirements:

Must be declared as public static.

Must accept and return a List to support batch operations.

Return type should be compatible with Flow Builder, in this case, a List.

Why Option C?

Fulfills all @InvocableMethod requirements:

@InvocableMethod(label='Additional Info')

public static List getInfo(List contactIds) {

// Implementation

}

Why Not Other Options?

A, B, D: Do not adhere to the public static requirement or fail to use a List as input/output.

InvocableMethod Documentation: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_classes_annotation_InvocableMethod.htm

References:

 Execution Flow:

Initially, x = 0.

Inside the do block:

x = 1 is set.

x++ increments x to 2.

The condition x < 1 is evaluated. Since x = 2, the condition is false, and the loop exits.

 Value of x in Debug Log:

Final value of x after the loop is 2.

Maximum Trigger Depth Exceeded:

This error occurs when a trigger causes recursive calls, leading to an infinite loop of execution.

Solution:

Use static variables in helper classes to prevent recursive trigger execution.

Example:

public class TriggerHelper {

public static Boolean isTriggerExecuted = false;

}

trigger AccountTrigger on Account (after update) {

if (!TriggerHelper.isTriggerExecuted) {

TriggerHelper.isTriggerExecuted = true;

// Trigger logic here

}

}

Why Not Other Options?

A: Permissions do not affect trigger recursion.

B: Length of the trigger is unrelated to recursion.

C: Code coverage does not influence runtime errors like recursion.

Trigger Best Practices: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_triggers_best_practices.htm

References:

Lightning Web Components (LWCs) have access to a variety of resources in Salesforce. Below are the supported resources:

Static Resources (A):You can use static resources to reference JavaScript libraries, images, and other files needed in an LWC.

Option A: A screen-based flow is ideal for gathering multiple pieces of information from the user interactively. It provides a declarative way to guide the service agent through the process step-by-step.

Not Suitable:

Option B: An approval process is for routing records for approval, not for gathering user input.

Option C: Apex triggers are for automation, not for interactive user input.

Option D: A Lightning Component could work but requires custom development, which is less efficient than using flows.

Order of Execution Rules:

Step 1: Original record is loaded from the database.

Step 2: Field-level validations are performed, including maximum field lengths.

Step 3: Old values are overwritten with new record values.

Step 4: JavaScript validation runs in the browser.

Order of Execution Rules: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.238.0.salesforce_appdevelopment.meta/salesforce_appdevelopment/apex_triggers_order_of_execution.htm

References:

 Option B: Escapes single quotes using String.escapeSingleQuotes, protecting against SOQL injection.

 Option C: Uses bind variables, which are inherently safe from SOQL injection.

The @RestResource annotation exposes an Apex class as a RESTful web service. The urlMapping parameter defines the endpoint's URL.

Roll-Up Summary Field:

Since the relationship between Order and Order Line Item is a Master-Detail, a Roll-Up Summary field can be used on the Order object.

The MAX function in a Roll-Up Summary field calculates the latest date (the maximum value) among all the availability dates on the Order Line Items.

Why MAX Roll-Up Summary Field Works:

The latest availability date among the Order Line Items will determine when the entire Order can be shipped.

Why Not Other Options?

A and B: There is no such formula called "LATEST" or "CEILING" applicable to date fields.

C: A COUNT Roll-Up Summary is irrelevant for calculating dates.

Roll-Up Summary Fields: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.object_reference.meta/object_reference/roll_up_summary_fields.htm

References:

A: Custom objects and fields are the fundamental building blocks of the database layer in Salesforce for creating and storing custom data.

C: Roll-up summary fields are a declarative feature used to perform calculations (e.g., sum, count) on child records and display the results on the parent record.

D: Relationships (e.g., master-detail, lookup) are essential for defining how data objects are related to each other.

Why not other options?

B: Triggers are a programmatic solution, which goes against the declarative-only requirement.

E: Flows are used for automation and logic, not for building the database layer.

References:

Salesforce Data Modeling

When multiple triggers are associated with the same object and event, Salesforce does not guarantee the order of execution. This is why it is a best practice to consolidate all logic into a single trigger per object and control execution order using helper classes.

A: The save() method in the custom controller must be tested to ensure it works as intended and redirects to the correct page.

B: Setting parameters via ApexPages.currentPage().getParameters() is crucial to test scenarios where user input or URL parameters drive logic.

D: Using Test.setCurrentPage(pageRef) is essential for simulating page context in unit tests.

Why not other options?

C: This statement does not belong to testing a custom controller.

B (second occurrence): It appears to be incorrectly formatted in the question.

References:

Testing Apex Controllers

C. Update the PrimaryId__c field definition to mark it as an External Id:

Marking PrimaryId__c as an External Id allows Salesforce to use this field to match records during the data import process, streamlining the process of mapping CSV rows to existing Candidate__c records.

External Id fields are indexed and can be used in tools like Data Loader, Data Import Wizard, or API-based upserts to ensure that records are matched correctly based on the value of the external ID field.

In this case, since PrimaryId__c is unique, marking it as an external ID eliminates the need for custom triggers or flows.

Why this is the best solution?

This technique leverages built-in Salesforce capabilities (no need for custom code or automation).

It ensures accurate record matching and is the standard approach for data enrichment tasks involving unique identifiers.

Why not the other options?

A. Upload the CSV into a custom object related to Candidate__c:

This approach unnecessarily introduces another object, adding complexity. The goal is to update existing Candidate__c records, not store the data in a separate object.

B. Create a before insert trigger to correctly map the records:

Using triggers for this purpose is overengineering. Salesforce already provides tools like upsert for this exact use case. Writing a trigger would require additional effort and could introduce unintended errors or performance issues.

D. Create a before save flow to correctly map the records:

While flows are powerful, they are not the optimal solution for this use case. Data mapping is better handled using an external ID during import to ensure proper matching and updates.

References:

External IDs in Salesforce

Upsert with Data Loader

Unique and External ID Fields

In Visualforce, to specify a standard controller for a custom object, the syntax is controller="ObjectName__c".

To add custom functionality, you can use an extensions attribute to include a controller extension.

Why not other options?

A: The correct syntax is controller, not standardController, for custom objects.

B and C: These are syntactically incorrect.

References:

Visualforce Pages Documentation

A: A Flow can guide sales reps through a set of scripted steps and call an Apex action to interact with an external REST endpoint.

B: An Invocable method is used to make an Apex method callable from a Flow. This method can call the REST endpoint and return the data for display.

Why not other options?

C: Future methods are asynchronous and cannot return data to the user in real time.

D: Triggers are used for database events, not for guiding users through scripted processes or making REST calls.

References:

Invocable Methods in Flows

To notify the parent component when the child component’s Next button is clicked, the child component can dispatch a custom event. The parent component listens to this event and handles navigation accordingly.

To create and manage scratch orgs in Salesforce DX, the Dev Hub must be enabled in your Salesforce production or Developer Edition org. Dev Hub acts as the central hub for managing scratch orgs.

This method allows the developer to retrieve all available record types and identify the default record type for the current user by checking the isDefaultRecordTypeMapping() attribute.

Example:

Schema.DescribeSObjectResult describeResult = Opportunity.sObjectType.getDescribe();

for (Schema.RecordTypeInfo recordType : describeResult.getRecordTypeInfos()) {

if (recordType.isDefaultRecordTypeMapping()) {

System.debug('Default Record Type: ' + recordType.getName());

}

}

The @AuraEnabled(cacheable=true) annotation makes an Apex method available to Lightning Web Components and allows it to be wired to a property while enabling client-side caching for improved performance.

A record-triggered flow is the recommended tool for this scenario because it:

Can compare the Contact.MailingState field with the Preferred_Locations__c field on the Job__c record.

Automatically updates or calculates values whenever changes are made, keeping data in sync without requiring Apex code or custom development.

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is the recommended tool for Salesforce development. It supports the Salesforce Extensions Pack for debugging and fixing issues in Lightning Web Components (LWCs).

Not Suitable:

Option A: The Developer Console is less effective for LWC debugging.

Option B: The Force.com IDE is deprecated.

Option C: Execute Anonymous does not provide tools to debug or fix LWC bugs.

Polymorphic Lookup Fields:

These fields can reference multiple object types.

Example: The WhatId field on Event can reference any object that is related to the Event, such as Account or Opportunity.

Why Not Other Options?

A: ParentId on Account is not polymorphic; it only points to other Accounts.

B: Custom fields cannot be polymorphic.

D: LeadId and ContactId are specific fields, not polymorphic.

Polymorphic Lookups: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.object_reference.meta/object_reference/field_types.htm

References:

Option A correctly uses a nested SOQL query to retrieve Contact records along with their related Job_Application__c records, filtering by Account.Industry. This approach is efficient and leverages Salesforce's relationship model.

Public Method (A):The parent component can call a public method defined in the child component to pass data directly.

A. 75% Test Coverage: Salesforce mandates that 75% of all Apex code must be covered by tests to be deployable to production.

D. Trigger Coverage: Each Apex trigger must have at least one line of test coverage to ensure it is properly tested.