02 · Objects, fields and records

The spreadsheet analogy that gets you started, and where it breaks down.

Objects are tables, until they aren't

An object is a table, a field is a column, a record is a row — that gets you through week one. What the analogy misses: objects carry behaviour, security and relationships that spreadsheets never had.

Standard first, custom second

Account, Contact and Opportunity solve more than you think. Build a custom object only after you can say why a standard one does not fit — future you will thank present you.

Practice in your org

• Open your Developer Edition org and follow along step by step
• Change one thing at a time and note what happens
• When something breaks, read the error before searching for it