Salesforce Integration Interview Questions and Answers Experienced

1. What is Salesforce Integration?

Ans: Salesforce Integration is the process of connecting Salesforce with other systems, databases, or applications to share data and processes. It enables seamless data flow and automation between Salesforce and external systems.

2. What are the different types of Salesforce Integrations?

Ans: Common types include: Data Integration (ETL), Process Integration (APIs), Real-time Integration (Webhooks), and UI Integration (Embedded interfaces). Each serves different use cases based on business needs.

3. What is an HTTP Method?

Ans: HTTP Methods define the type of operation a client wants to perform on a resource on the server, such as retrieving, creating, updating, or deleting data.

4. Name the common HTTP Methods used in Salesforce integrations.

Ans: Common HTTP Methods are GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE.

5. What does the GET method do?

Ans: GET requests retrieve data from a server without modifying it. It is used to read or fetch records from an external system or Salesforce.

6. When would you use POST method?

Ans: POST is used to create new records or resources on the server, or to submit data for processing.

7. What is the difference between PUT and PATCH?

Ans: PUT replaces the entire resource with the provided data, while PATCH updates only specified fields of the resource.

8. When should you use the DELETE method?

Ans: DELETE is used to remove or delete a resource or record from the server.

9. Scenario: You want to update just one field of a Salesforce record via API. Which HTTP method is ideal?

Ans: PATCH is ideal because it allows partial updates without sending the entire record data.

10. Can GET requests have a request body?

Ans: No, GET requests should not have a body; all parameters should be passed in the URL query string.

11. Which HTTP method is idempotent and why?

Ans: GET, PUT, and DELETE are idempotent because making the same request multiple times produces the same result without side effects.

12. How do HTTP methods affect Salesforce API limits?

Ans: Each HTTP request counts toward API call limits regardless of method. Efficient use of POST, PATCH, or Bulk API methods helps reduce the total number of calls.

13. Which APIs does Salesforce offer for Integration?

Ans: Salesforce provides several APIs like REST API, SOAP API, Bulk API, Metadata API, and Streaming API for different integration scenarios such as CRUD operations, batch processing, metadata deployment, and real-time updates.

14. When should you use REST API over SOAP API in Salesforce?

Ans: Use REST API for lightweight, stateless, mobile, and web integrations with JSON format. Use SOAP API for complex operations, strong typing, and enterprise-level integrations that need WSDL support.

15. How can you integrate Salesforce with external systems in real-time?

Ans: You can use Platform Events, Streaming API, or outbound messages for real-time integration. These notify external systems instantly when data changes occur in Salesforce.

16. What is Named Credential in Salesforce?

Ans: Named Credential is a secure way to store authentication settings and endpoint URLs for external systems. It simplifies callouts and avoids hardcoding credentials in Apex code.

17. What is a Remote Site Setting?

Ans: Remote Site Setting is a security configuration in Salesforce that allows outbound callouts to external domains. You must add the URL to Remote Site Settings before making HTTP callouts.

18. How would you handle authentication for external REST API in Apex?

Ans: Use HttpRequest class in Apex with appropriate headers (like Authorization), or use Named Credentials for easier management. OAuth 2.0 is often used for secure token-based authentication.

19. What is Middleware in Salesforce Integration?

Ans: Middleware is a tool (like Mulesoft, Dell Boomi, or Informatica) that acts as a bridge between Salesforce and other systems. It transforms, routes, and manages data securely across platforms.

20. What is an Outbound Message in Salesforce?

Ans: An Outbound Message sends SOAP messages from Salesforce to external systems automatically when a workflow rule is triggered. It's used for simple, one-way, real-time communication.