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A quick overview of the differences between Java and Apex
When learning Salesforce, you will sooner or later hear that Salesforce’s Apex is “Java-like.” What does that mean, exactly?
Well, for starters, it means that if you already know Java, then you don’t have to start over from square zero to learn the Salesforce back end programming language.
There is quite a lot to learn about Salesforce without also having to learn a completely new strongly-typed language for the back end.
And of course “Java-like” also means that it’s not exactly the same as Java, but just different enough not to incur a lawsuit from Oracle. And also different enough to trip you up from time to time if you are very experienced with Java and just starting out with Apex.
That’s where I’m at. I think I have a very solid grasp of the theory and practice of Java, and I’m a beginner at Apex. This article is as much for my own benefit as it is for the benefit of others who know Java and are starting out with Apex.
So for this article I assume that’s where you are at also.
Purpose
Java is a general purpose language programming language. You could use Java to write a command line program that factorizes prime numbers, for example. You could use Java to write an Android app that…