Salesforce Developer Podcast

Let's unveil the captivating world of computer sciences, engineering, and Salesforce with our accomplished guest, Ludovic Meurillon. Prepare to be immersed in Ludovic's fascinating journey from his early gaming days to becoming a software engineer at Salesforce. Discover how he navigated joining the company during the pandemic and how he's currently thriving as a developer. Learn about the groundbreaking ApexMockery project that Ludovic and his team have been diligently working on and how it's revolutionizing the way developers decouple their code from the database and the Salesforce platform.

We also discuss the intricacies of the Apex stub API and how it can be leveraged in Apex Mocking. You'll understand the key distinctions between unit testing and integration testing and the array of benefits Apex Mocking offers developers. This episode is packed with knowledge and skills that will enhance your Salesforce development journey, whether you're a seasoned developer or just getting started.

Get ready for an enlightening deep dive into the world of Salesforce development.

Show Highlights:

• The ApexMockery project, its development process, and its role in revolutionizing how developers decouple their code from the database and the Salesforce platform.

• The importance of the Apex stub API and its utilization in Apex Mocking for writing swift, efficient, and effective unit tests.

• The difference between unit testing and integration testing, and the benefits of Apex Mocking for developers.

• The evolution of the Apex Mockery library, its use in creating custom matches, and the application of the arrange, act, and assert pattern in testing.

• The purpose and advantages of using the Apex Mockery library in Salesforce development.

• The future of the Apex Mockery Library.

Links:

• https://twitter.com/LudoMeurillon

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ludovicmeurillon/

• https://github.com/LudoMeurillon

• https://github.com/salesforce/apex-mockery

Listen in as we journey through the life and career of Nikos Mitrakis, Salesforce Developer and architect at Acmantix. This episode offers an insightful exploration of Nikos's journey, highlighting his passion for programming and how he found his way to Salesforce. Join us as Nikos discusses his open-source framework, Forceea Data Factory, an innovative tool he created that helps average developers create complex data.

Further along, we dive into the nitty-gritty of Forceea. We discuss its capabilities, including its ability to create static and serial data as well as complex reference data and outline its main use cases for developers and users in a sandbox environment. Hear about the benefits of using templates for modification and how the tool optimizes the process of creating complex data.

Tune in for a compelling conversation that showcases the evolution of programming and its limitless possibilities.

Show Highlights:

• What Forceea Meets Tracking is and what its capabilities are

• The uses of Forceea, especially for developers needing to create data for unit tests and users in a sandbox environment

• The tool's efficiency in creating complex data swiftly and the advantages of using templates for modification are highlighted

• The future of Forceea

Links:

• Nikos on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikosmitrakis/

• Forceea Data Factory: https://github.com/Forceea/Forceea-data-factory

• Dadela: https://github.com/Forceea/Dadela

• Acmantix: https://www.acmantix.com/

In this episode, we explore the technological journey of Nikita Prokopev, from his early fascination with DOS and PC games to his growth into a seasoned programmer. Listen in as Nikita reveals his transition into the Salesforce ecosystem, the evolution of the Salesforce platform, and how it shaped his professional trajectory.

Discover his motivations behind taking the entrepreneurial plunge and how he juggled multiple roles to make his venture a success. He underscores the importance of observability in the Salesforce platform and shares insights on how it can be utilized to improve performance and efficiency.

Nikita breaks down observability into various components and explains how it helps monitor the health of a system and prevent errors. Also, get valuable tips on how to maximize logging efficiency and performance to control data volume and avoid hitting platform limits. Tune in for a fascinating exploration of Nikita's journey in technology and valuable insights on Salesforce.

Show Highlights:

• The challenges he faced in the early days of Salesforce.

• The importance of observability in Salesforce.

• How observability can help monitor system health and prevent errors.

• How to maximize logging efficiency and performance to control data volume and avoid hitting platform limits are shared.

• The transition from a passion project to a professional career in technology.

Links:

• Nikita on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nprokopyev/

• Pharos AI: https://pharos.ai/

Remember the first time you received an email? The magic of instant communication transforming your work life? That's the journey we take you on as we explore the dynamic relationship between work and technology. From email evolution to instant communication tools like Slack, we’ll also tackle the unexpected mental emergency that a phone call can induce.

Come along for a fascinating snapshot into the ever-evolving world of work.

Show Highlights:

• The transformation of work due to technological advancements.

• The mental shift that occurs when an unexpected work phone call comes in and how it impacts our modern work routines.

• The impact of remote work and video conferencing on work culture, especially in the wake of the pandemic.

Links:

• Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikegerholdt/

• Gillian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilliankbruce/

• Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabirk/

Listen in as Mohith Shrivastava, Lead Developer Advocate at Salesforce, and I unwrap the most anticipated features in the Winter ’24 release. We share our excitement for Dynamic Components in LWC, a feature that Mohith believes will revolutionize the game for ISV developers. We explore how Dynamic Components can store component definitions on the backend, allowing developers to render components at runtime and use dependency injection.

We continue our exploration with a look at how developers can use LWC recipes and the GraphQL wire adapter to create powerful table or grid views on the client side. The GraphQL APIs now support mutations and offer the potential for developers to use custom elements to incorporate third-party components and web standards for reusability. Plus, we discuss new mobile capabilities like document scanning, NFC, and biometric functionalities.

We shed light on how DataWeave, a MuleSoft data transformation language, can be used in Apex and the improvements made to Queueable Apex. We also look at Code Builder, a browser-based development platform that aims to make developing Salesforce applications more straightforward than ever.

Tune in and get a head start on what's coming in the Winter ’24 release!

Show Highlights:

• The exciting features in Salesforce's Winter ’24 release, focusing on the game-changing Dynamic Components in LWC for ISV developers.

• New mobile capabilities in the Winter ’24 release, including document scanning, NFC, and biometric functionalities.

• Examination of the Winter ’24 DataWeave and Apex enhancements.

• Overview of new features for Salesforce developers in the Winter ’24 release.

• Introduction to Salesforce Code Analyzer, a new VS Code extension, and how it improves the quality of code reviews.

Links:

• Mohith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohith-shrivastava-9a36464a/

• Blog: The Salesforce Developer’s Guide to the Winter ’24 Release

Join us on a captivating journey as we talk with Teo Dawn, a 21-year-old Salesforce developer from the Yucatan, about his experiences. Teo recalls his early days with computers, being inspired by his older brother to pursue a career in software engineering, and how he won a scholarship through Rafael Hernandez's nonprofit organization. Continuing his story, Teo shares his path to becoming a certified Salesforce developer.

Listen as he delves into his Unity project, presented at Forcelandia, and his current internship experiences. In our chat with Teo, he also reveals his passion for music and how it has assisted him in his development career. He emphasizes the value of his piano skills in communicating tech topics to others, providing an unexpected bridge between the arts and technology. Make sure to tune in and discover more about Teo's journey in the Salesforce world and beyond!

Show Highlights:

• Teo's journey from a childhood fascination with computers to becoming a Salesforce developer, including his scholarship from a nonprofit organization.

• The guidance Teo received from his mentor Dr. Edgar Cambranes and the support from his brother.

• Teo's passion for piano and how it helped him bridge the gap between arts and technology, as well as communicate tech topics to others.

• Teo's current internship experiences and his future plans in the field of Salesforce development.

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teodorodawn/

• Github: https://github.com/Teodoro-lab

Join us as we chat with Kate Lessard, Delivery Team Manager at Arkus, about the critical role of user stories in collaboration and her unique journey into the Salesforce world. Starting her career in the fine arts, Kate made an unexpected transition into Salesforce consulting for nonprofits. In this episode, we have a discussion about the fundamentals of crafting compelling user stories.

We talk about identifying personas, setting acceptance criteria, and how user stories facilitate teamwork. Discover how tools like Chat GPT can leverage AI to define personas and how to dissect solutions into manageable tasks. We also dive into the nuts and bolts of using user stories to foster effective collaboration.

Learn how to pinpoint the atomic level of a good user story and the tools Kate recommends for tracking them. All this and more in this insightful conversation with Kate Lessard!

Show Highlights:

• The importance of creating good user stories for effective team collaboration.

• Detailed process of crafting user stories, including persona identification and setting acceptance criteria.

• The role of background stories and 'jobs to be done' in enriching the user story creation process.

• The importance of breaking down solutions into manageable tasks and the use of AI tools like Chat GPT in defining personas.

• Kate's personal recommendations for tracking user stories and her unique approach to user story creation.

• Discussion on leveraging acceptance criteria and creating backstories for personas to develop efficient user stories.

Links:

• Twitter account: @SalesforceK8

• LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salesforcekate/

• User Stories with examples and a template - Max Rehkopf, Atlassian: https://www.atlassian.com/agile/project-management/user-stories

• http://stormotion.io/blog/how-to-write-a-good-user-story-with-examples-templates/

Join us as we take an insightful journey with Salesforce Architect, Mike Topalovich, who uncovers his unique career path, starting from his early introduction to coding as a young child, and leading up to his current role in the Salesforce ecosystem. As he recalls his days writing script language programs, working with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and using Siebel systems, you'll gain a better understanding of how technology can be used to simplify and enhance people's lives.

In our conversation, Mike also discusses the convergence of AI and architectural design. As we tackle the concept of 'move fast, break stuff', we consider its relevance and limitations. We also delve into how AI is transforming the design process and the potential for feedback loops to foster positive human-machine interactions. Mike also shares his perspective on the importance of UX design in creating positive user experiences. This is an episode brimming with lessons, insights, and stories that are bound to resonate with developers, architects, and technology enthusiasts alike.

Show Highlights:

• Mike’s emphasis on user experience and technology's potential to simplify lives, illustrated by his stint with Siebel Systems.

• The intersection of AI and architectural design, and its implications in terms of innovation, risk management, and enhanced design processes.

• The potential threats of AI and quantum computing in the hands of state actors.

• Mike's thoughts on UX design principles, psychological safety, political safety, and their application in creating secure and efficient systems.

Links:

• LinkedIn account: https://linkedin.com/in/topalovich

Welcome to a futuristic ride through the world of composable commerce and technology with our distinguished guest, Nat Pavic, a senior manager of product management for Commerce Cloud. Nat, with a remarkable background in coding, programming, physics, quantum computing, and biophysics, is currently navigating the path of innovation for Commerce Cloud. He unravels the concept of composable commerce and reveals how this new approach provides unprecedented freedom and flexibility to customers, revolutionizing the e-commerce landscape.

We delve into the realm of group shopping and digital experiences, studying innovative applications like Slack’s group dressing room. The discussion leads us to witness the transformative potential of VR and AR in enhancing online shopping efficiency. We close with an exploration of the growing trend of shoppable ads and their potential to revolutionize media revenue. Don't miss this enlightening journey into the future of commerce!

Show Highlights:

• In-depth exploration of headless and composable e-commerce platforms, emphasizing the shift towards 'commerce anywhere' and the role of being an API-first company.

• Discussion on group shopping and digital experiences.

• Examination of the potential of VR and AR in the realm of online shopping.

• Analysis of the trend of shoppable ads and their potential to revolutionize media revenue.

• Conversation around AI's potential in e-commerce, specifically in terms of predictive AI, generative AI, and their roles in enhancing shopping experiences.

• Case studies and practical applications of the concepts in various industries, including retail, travel, and the media sector.

Links:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/NatalijaPavic

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natpavic/

Settle in for a fascinating voyage through time with our guest, Bhanudas Tanaka, who has experienced the transformative journey of computer programming from its early days right up to the AI-powered present. Let's whisk you into an intimate conversation where Bhanudas recounts how he reignited his mathematician father's passion for programming, a story that's sure to inspire.

But what does the future of programming hold? Not one to rest on past laurels, Bhanudas shares his insights on the seismic shifts brought about by AI in the programming landscape. Think of metadata-aware tools and AI agents that monitor the org continuously - the future of Salesforce development is here. Bhanudas details the minimum skills required to jump onto the AI bandwagon and the importance of a hands-on approach. He paints an exciting picture of the potential of GPT and Flow GPT in generating code and metadata, opening up a world of possibilities. Join us as we navigate the riveting evolution of programming and AI through the eyes of Bhanudas.

Show Highlights:

• Discussion on Bhanudas's professional programming experiences, including creating a shipment manager for a local shipping company.

• Overview of the significant evolution of language models and AI over the past three decades, with a focus on the progression from text-based Eliza to current AI capabilities.

• Insights on AI's potential to revolutionize Salesforce development.

• The future of AI in Salesforce and the potential of GPT and Flow GPT to generate code and metadata.

• The changes in how we interact with technology, from searching in Google to prompting AI systems, and the possible future developments in this area.

Links:

• Julián on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/juliandavidduque

• Bhanudas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhanudastanaka/

Other Resources:

• Terranox - https://terranox.co/

• Purple Mai’a Foundation - https://purplemaia.org/olona-consultancy/

Resources Recommended By the Guest:

People to watch, follow, and digest:

1. Eliezer Yudkowsky - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd0yQ9yxSYY.

2. Also interviewed by Lex - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaTRHFaaPG8

3. Andrej Karpathy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCc8FmEb1nY

4. Sam Altman - Lex interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_Guz73e6fw

Content creators he loves:

1. Two Minute Papers - https://www.youtube.com/@TwoMinutePaper

2. Lex Fridman - amazing guests, very deep and thoughtful - https://www.youtube.com/@lexfridma

3. Asianometry - tech + Asia, lots of history, well written - https://www.youtube.com/@Asianometry