Learning how to create custom user interfaces for desktop and mobile apps used to be a daunting task. Salesforce simplified this by introducing Visualforce, a web development framework designed to build custom apps hosted on their own Lightning platform.
Newbies in web development can now learn how to use Visualforce with the help of Salesforce Visualforce Basics Module. Here is an overview of what this online module is about and how it can be used to enhance a web developer’s skills.
Defining the Module
Visualforce Basics Module is a free online learning package found on the Salesforce Trailhead website. It consists of 9 units that tackle the foundations of using Visualforce for Lightning Experience platform.
The module is available under the Developer Beginner trail and can be completed in 2 hours and 25 minutes.
Breaking Down the Learning Units
Visualforce is a huge topic in the Salesforce world, and there are many things to learn about it. Hence, the module is comprised of the following 9 units:
- Get Started with Visualforce – 10 minutes
This unit introduces the learner to Visualforce. It also explains practical applications of Visualforce within the organization.
- Create & Edit Visualforce Pages – 10 minutes
The learner is now taken a step further as he discovers how Visualforce pages are created and edited in this unit. Step-by-step guides are provided for creating pages in the Developer Console, using Auto-Suggest to add attributes, and adding other components to a page.
- Use Simple Variables and Formulas – 15 minutes
The unit is all about Visualforce expressions. Learners will understand expressions and the key concepts surrounding it, such as global variables and functions.
- Use Standard Controllers – 15 minutes
Standard controllers are used to data access and actions within Lightning. This unit focuses on how controllers work and how they can be used to display records and other data types.
- Display Records, Fields, and Tables – 15 minutes
Various types of components are utilized in order to display records, fields, and tables in Visualforce. Learners will discover these components and how each one works in this unit.
- Input Data Using Forms – 20 minutes
Forms are essential to capturing and storing relevant data for an organization. Hence, this unit will tackle the basics of Visualforce forms – how it’s created, edited, and displayed.
- Use Standard List Controllers – 20 minutes
This unit focuses on standard list controllers and their role in displaying and acting on a set of records.
- Use Static Resources – 20 minutes
Visualforce pages allow uploading content that can be archived or referenced. These types of content are known as static resources. This unit will teach learners how to create and upload both simple and zipped static resources to their Visualforce pages.
- Create & Use Custom Controllers – 20 minutes
Visualforce pages have data manipulation and logic attributes, and custom controllers make it all possible. The last unit of the module contains basic information about custom controllers, how they are created, and how they work in a page.
All units in the module come with hands-on challenges at the end. You must complete these challenges in your personal Salesforce environment to assess how much you’ve learned from the module.
In a Nutshell
Visualforce Basics Module is an easy-to-understand free guide for beginning web developers interested in learning how Visualforce and Lightning Platform work. It’s best suited for developers who would like to use Visualforce as a starting point in creating mobile and desktop apps for their respective Salesforce-run organizations.