Visualforce
Visualforce is a framework used in Salesforce for building custom user interfaces (UIs) that integrate with Salesforce’s data and functionalities. Apex is the server-side programming language used to implement business logic and data manipulation in Salesforce. The primary focus lies in creating the front-end user experience. It also interacts with Apex to drive custom UI features.
How Is Visualforce Used?
Custom UI Development
Developers can create highly custom pages and user interfaces using a tag-based markup language similar to HTML (with additional Salesforce specific components). A deep set of standard and custom components (e.g., input fields, buttons, tables) that can be used to build the UI are also available. Developers can also create custom components to capture reusable pieces of UI and logic.
Apex Integration
Visualforce pages can include Apex controllers to handle the logic and data operations behind the scenes. Apex controllers are classes written in Apex that interact with the data model and provide the logic for the highly customized pages. This integration enables the creation of dynamic and interactive pages that respond to user inputs and perform complex operations.
Integration with Salesforce Features
Visualforce pages can be embedded in Salesforce’s standard applications (e.g., Lightning Experience, Salesforce Classic) or used as standalone pages. They can also be used within custom Salesforce apps, tabs, and other parts of the Salesforce user interface.
What is the Benefit?
Framework
Visualforce provides the framework for creating custom UI components and pages in Salesforce. Apex provides the underlying logic and data handling. Together they enable the development of highly customized applications within the Salesforce ecosystem.
Who is Impacted?
Developers
Developers use Visualforce to build custom pages and components tailored to specific business needs, going beyond the standard Salesforce UI capabilities. They integrate Visualforce with Apex controllers to create dynamic and interactive applications that can handle complex logic and data manipulation. Developers have the flexibility to design and style user interfaces, incorporating custom layouts, visual elements, and branding.
End Users
End users experience a customized interface designed to meet their specific needs. Visualforce pages can improve usability by providing intuitive forms, dashboards, and navigation that align with their daily work. Custom pages can offer functionality that is not available in the standard Salesforce interface, such as specialized forms, reports, or data views.
Customers
For organizations that provide customer portals or external-facing applications Visualforce is used to build on brand customized interfaces. Customers benefit from applications that are designed to their exact specifications.