Question

A business requirement can be met by using either a formula field or an Apex trigger. Why would a developer use a formula field or an Apex trigger?

1) Formula fields can be created and deployed using only a browser
2) Formula fields do not require test methods to deploy.
3) Formula fields can be created by users who cannot code in Apex
4) Formula fields allow greater control and flexibility than Apex triggers

Answer 1

A developer might use a formula field for its ease of use, no need for test methods, and accessibility for non-coders, whereas Apex triggers provide greater control and flexibility for complex logic.

Step-by-step explanation:

When deciding whether to use a formula field or an Apex trigger to meet a business requirement in Salesforce, a developer would consider several factors. Formula fields are less complex and easier to implement than Apex triggers because they can be created directly in the Salesforce interface using a browser and do not necessitate programming knowledge. Therefore, formula fields are accessible to those who are not proficient in code. Here are some reasons for choosing a formula field or an Apex trigger:

• Formula fields can be created and deployed using only a browser; hence there is no development environment setup required.
• Formula fields do not require test methods to deploy, which simplifies the deployment process as compared to Apex code which requires a minimum of 75% code coverage.
• Formula fields can be created by users who cannot code in Apex, which makes them more user-friendly for non-developers.
• However, this is not true: Formula fields allow greater control and flexibility than Apex triggers. In fact, Apex triggers offer more control and flexibility because they can handle complex logic that formula fields cannot.