Force.com Apex Code Developer's Guide

Getting Started
Writing Apex
Data Types and Variables
Control Flow Statements
Classes, Objects, and Interfaces
Working with Data in Apex
sObject Types
Adding and Retrieving Data
DML
SOQL and SOSL Queries
Working with SOQL and SOSL Query Results
Accessing sObject Fields Through Relationships
Understanding Foreign Key and Parent-Child Relationship SOQL Queries
Working with SOQL Aggregate Functions
Working with Very Large SOQL Queries
Using SOQL Queries That Return One Record
Improving Performance by Not Searching on Null Values
Working with Polymorphic Relationships in SOQL Queries
Using Apex Variables in SOQL and SOSL Queries
Querying All Records with a SOQL Statement
SOQL For Loops
sObject Collections
Dynamic Apex
Apex Security and Sharing
Custom Settings
Ways to Invoke Apex
Finishing Touches
Reference
Appendices
Glossary
PDF

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Using SOQL Queries That Return One Record

SOQL queries can be used to assign a single sObject value when the result list contains only one element. When the L-value of an expression is a single sObject type, Apex automatically assigns the single sObject record in the query result list to the L-value. A runtime exception results if zero sObjects or more than one sObject is found in the list. For example: