Salesforce Tango: Understanding the API Dance Between the Client and the Server.
Introduction
Here are insights on understanding the interactions between client and server when making API calls in Salesforce, a crucial aspect of our integration series on stevetechart.com.
The Salesforce Tango: A Dance of Interaction
In the intricate dance of API calls, understanding the moves is essential. The diagram I’m about to discuss illustrates the dance moves or interactions between the client and server.
Server-Side Responsibilities
Whether Salesforce or an external entity acts as the server, the responsibilities remain the same. The server must be accessible, have a listener process on a specific port (typically 443 for SSL), and possibly have an authentication server if OAuth is used. The server defines the protocol, provides necessary files to the client, decides on the payload, and can trace the incoming payload and performance on internal processing.
Client-Side Responsibilities
The client must know the endpoint, handle session tokens, and be prepared for session expiration errors. It needs to call the appropriate protocol, serialize data correctly, and handle return values. The client can trace outgoing payloads, incoming responses, and handle various errors, with the responsibility of catching and addressing these errors falling on the server.
Salesforce as a Server
When Salesforce acts as the server, it may require a connected app, an integration profile, and an integration user for OAuth setup. Clients can be various external entities making calls into Salesforce, using different APIs and protocols as needed.
Salesforce as a Client
Salesforce can also act as a client, making outbound calls to external servers. This process may involve importing WSDL files, generating Apex, and setting up named credentials for SOAP and REST servers. Various configurations are needed for different outbound mechanisms, each following the client-server protocols described earlier.
Conclusion
Understanding the dance moves of client-server interactions in Salesforce API calls is crucial for efficient and effective API usage. We’ve delved into the responsibilities on both sides and explored scenarios involving external clients and Salesforce in different roles.
Stay Tuned
For more insights and tips, stay tuned here on www.SteveTechArc.com and to the @SteveTechArc YouTube channel. Subscribe and enhance your understanding of Salesforce and how you can integrate it with other systems.
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