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Salesforce Platform vs Data Cloud in terms of Development

App development has vastly progressed, with platforms like Data Cloud and Salesforce offering a plethora of tools and APIs. This article is intended to elucidate them and provide a comparative analysis. Whether you are a customer developer looking to migrate metadata or a Salesforce partner aiming to distribute apps to customers, this guide will help you navigate your way. We will discuss various tasks, compare the methods applied in Data Cloud and Salesforce, and highlight the fundamental characteristics.


Task 1: Metadata Migration

When customer developers need to migrate metadata from one organization to another, both platforms offer distinct features or APIs. In Data Cloud, resources encompass unmanaged packages (partial support), data kits, Data Cloud Metadata API, and Salesforce Metadata API. On the other hand, Salesforce provides options such as unlocked packages, unmanaged packages, DevOps Center, Scratch Orgs, and Salesforce Metadata API.

Task 2: App Distribution for Salesforce Partners

For Salesforce partners tasked with distributing apps to their customers, Data Cloud accomplishes this via data kits and managed packages process, albeit with partial support. Comparatively, Salesforce solely utilizes managed packages for this purpose.

Task 3: Development & Testing Environments

Custom application development and testing modes differentiate for both platforms. Data Cloud does not currently offer sandbox or scratch orgs. Instead, customer developers use a second org for the said tasks. Salesforce partners employ a Partner Business org. Conversely, Salesforce provides a sandbox org for customer developers and scratch orgs to Salesforce partners.

Task 4: Managed Package Generation

In terms of managed package activation, Data Cloud supports first-generation managed packages, often in tandem with data kits. However, second-generation managed packages are not compatible with Data Cloud. In comparison, Salesforce offers support for both first and second-generation managed packages.

Task 5: API Authentication

API authentication methodologies differ between these two platforms. When using the Data Cloud API, requests are authorized via OAuth with a Salesforce access token. This is then traded for a Data Cloud access token, subsequently reaching the Data Cloud tenant-specific endpoint. When using the Connect API, the same OAuth authorization path as the Salesforce Platform APIs is employed. In contrast, Salesforce Platform APIs authorize requests for the org’s MyDomain endpoint via a Salesforce access token.

Task 6: SOQL Queries

Optimal ways to query records in Data Cloud involve utilizing a subset of SOQL. Salesforce, on the other hand, allows record query using SOQL. More comprehensive details on the limitations and specifics of these querying methods are available on each platform's developer guide.

Each platform presents unique strengths so it’s integral to understand their key features to employ the most suitable one, depending upon your business' specific needs and requirements. The nitty-gritty of API authorization, managed package generation, app distribution techniques, and SOQL usage are just a few factors that differentiate these platforms.

Keywords: Custom App Development, Salesforce Platform, Data Cloud, Metadata Migration, API Authentication.

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