Introduction
Welcome to Part 3 of our Salesforce SOQL interview questions series! In this post, we’ll explore 25 more questions that delve into real-world scenarios, integration, and best practices.
Whether you’re preparing for a technical interview or looking to sharpen your SOQL skills, this guide will help you tackle complex scenarios and write efficient queries. Let’s dive in!
Make sure to check out Part 1, Part 2, and Part 4 for the complete set of questions! 🚀
SOQL in Integration Questions
51. How is SOQL used in Salesforce REST API?
Answer: SOQL queries can be executed in Salesforce REST API using the /query endpoint. For example:
GET /services/data/vXX.X/query?q=SELECT+Id,Name+FROM+Account
This retrieves Id and Name fields from the Account object. The response is returned in JSON format.
52. How do you use SOQL in Salesforce Bulk API?
Answer: In Bulk API, SOQL queries are used to retrieve large datasets. The query is included in the job payload.
For example:
<query>SELECT Id, Name FROM Account</query>
The results are returned asynchronously and can be downloaded as CSV files.
53. What is the difference between SOQL and SOSL in integration?
Answer:
SOQL is used for querying structured data from a single object or related objects.
SOSL (Salesforce Object Search Language) is used for full-text search across multiple objects.
In integration, SOQL is preferred for precise queries, while SOSL is used for searching text across objects.
54. How do you handle SOQL query limits in API integrations?
Answer:
Use pagination with
LIMITandOFFSETto retrieve data in chunks.Use Bulk API for large datasets to avoid hitting query limits.
Optimize queries to be selective and avoid unnecessary fields.
55. How do you use SOQL in Salesforce Composite API?
Answer:
In Composite API, SOQL queries can be included as part of a batch request. For example:
{
"compositeRequest": [
{
"method": "GET",
"url": "/services/data/vXX.X/query?q=SELECT+Id,Name+FROM+Account",
"referenceId": "AccountQuery"
}
]
}
56. How do you query data from Salesforce using SOQL in an external application?
Answer:
Use Salesforce APIs (REST or SOAP) to execute SOQL queries from an external application. For example, in a REST API integration:
GET /services/data/vXX.X/query?q=SELECT+Id,Name+FROM+Account
Authorization: Bearer <access_token>
57. What is the queryAll endpoint in Salesforce REST API?
Answer:
The queryAll endpoint retrieves all records, including deleted records (in the Recycle Bin). For example:
GET /services/data/vXX.X/queryAll?q=SELECT+Id,Name+FROM+Account
58. How do you use SOQL in Salesforce Connect (OData)?
Answer:
Salesforce Connect uses OData to query external data sources. SOQL-like queries can be executed using the OData endpoint. For example:
GET /services/data/vXX.X/connect/accounts?$select=Id,Name
59. How do you handle SOQL query results in Apex for integration purposes?
Answer:
Use Apex to process SOQL query results and send them to external systems.
For example:
List<Account> accounts = [SELECT Id, Name FROM Account];
String jsonResponse = JSON.serialize(accounts);
HttpRequest req = new HttpRequest();
req.setEndpoint('https://external-system.com/api');
req.setMethod('POST');
req.setBody(jsonResponse);
HttpResponse res = new Http().send(req);
60. How do you use SOQL in Salesforce Mobile SDK?
Answer: In Salesforce Mobile SDK, SOQL queries can be executed using the SmartStore or SmartSync libraries.
For example:
const query = "SELECT Id, Name FROM Account";
const result = await smartStore.query(query);
61. How do you query data from Salesforce for a real-time integration?
Answer:
Use Salesforce REST API with SOQL queries to fetch real-time data.
For example:
GET /services/data/vXX.X/query?q=SELECT+Id,Name+FROM+Account+WHERE+LastModifiedDate=TODAY
62. How do you use SOQL in Salesforce Outbound Messages?
Answer:
Outbound Messages are triggered by workflow rules and do not directly use SOQL. However, the payload can include fields queried using SOQL in Apex triggers or workflows.
63. How do you query data from Salesforce for a batch integration?
Answer:
Use Salesforce Bulk API with SOQL queries to retrieve large datasets. For example:
<query>SELECT Id, Name FROM Account</query>
64. How do you use SOQL in Salesforce Platform Events?
Answer:
Platform Events do not directly use SOQL. However, you can query related data in Apex triggers or processes that handle Platform Events.
65. How do you query data from Salesforce for a middleware integration?
Answer:
Use middleware tools like MuleSoft or Informatica to execute SOQL queries via Salesforce APIs. For example:
GET /services/data/vXX.X/query?q=SELECT+Id,Name+FROM+Account
66. How do you use SOQL in Salesforce Lightning Web Components (LWC)?
Answer:
Use the @wire decorator or Apex methods to execute SOQL queries in LWC.
For example:
import { LightningElement, wire } from 'lwc';
import getAccounts from '@salesforce/apex/AccountController.getAccounts';
export default class AccountList extends LightningElement {
@wire(getAccounts) accounts;
}
67. How do you query data from Salesforce for a data warehouse integration?
Answer:
Use ETL tools like Informatica or Talend to execute SOQL queries and load data into a data warehouse. For example:
SELECT Id, Name, Industry FROM Account
68. How do you use SOQL in Salesforce Heroku Connect?
Answer:
Heroku Connect uses SOQL-like queries to sync data between Salesforce and Heroku Postgres. For example:
SELECT Id, Name FROM Account
69. How do you query data from Salesforce for a reporting integration?
Answer:
Use Salesforce Reports or SOQL queries to fetch data for external reporting tools. For example:
SELECT Id, Name, AnnualRevenue FROM Account
70. How do you use SOQL in Salesforce Einstein Analytics?
Answer:
Einstein Analytics uses SAQL (Salesforce Analytics Query Language) instead of SOQL. However, you can use SOQL to query data for datasets in Einstein Analytics.
Advanced SOQL Questions
71. What is the TYPEOF clause in SOQL?
Answer:
The TYPEOF clause is used to handle polymorphic fields (e.g., WhatId or WhoId on Task or Event).
It allows you to query different fields based on the object type. For example:
SELECT TYPEOF What
WHEN Account THEN Name, Industry
WHEN Opportunity THEN Amount, StageName
END
FROM Event
72. How do you query for records using a cross-object field?
Answer:
Use dot notation to reference fields from related objects. For example:
SELECT Id, Name, Account.Name, Account.Industry FROM Contact
73. What is the WITH SECURITY_ENFORCED clause in SOQL?
Answer:
The WITH SECURITY_ENFORCED clause ensures that field-level security (FLS) and object permissions are enforced for the query. For example:
SELECT Id, Name FROM Account WITH SECURITY_ENFORCED
74. How do you query for records using a custom metadata type?
Answer:
Use the API name of the custom metadata type. For example:
SELECT Id, DeveloperName, Label FROM Custom_Metadata_Type__mdt
75. What is the FOR VIEW clause in SOQL?
Answer:
The FOR VIEW clause is used to retrieve records for display purposes, ensuring that the query respects sharing rules and field-level security.
For example:
SELECT Id, Name FROM Account FOR VIEW
You’ve just explored the Third Set of 25 SOQL interview questions to aid in your preparation. As part of our 100 SOQL interview questions series, we’ve divided them into four parts.
Make sure to check out Part 1, Part 2, and Part 4 for the complete set of questions! 🚀
Conclusion
With these 25 advanced SOQL questions, you’re now equipped to handle complex queries, optimize performance, and work with advanced features like SOQL in Integration and scenario questions.
In Part 4, we’ll wrap up the series with more challenging questions and practical tips to ace your Salesforce interview. Keep practicing, and you’ll be SOQL-ready in no time!
