Introducing Objects

Now that our app is functional (but rather boring), let's make it a little more interesting by introducing our first object.

As you might remember from the last chapter, an object is very similar to a database table in the Force.com platform. The platform comes with a number of standard objects, like contacts, accounts, and cases, which support default apps like Salesforce Sales and Salesforce Service. We can also define custom objects that allow us to store information specific to our Recruiting app.

Whether they're standard or custom, Force.com platform objects not only provide a structure for storing data but they also power the interface elements that allow users to interact with the data, such as tabs, the layout of fields on a page, and lists of related records. Because any object can correspond to a tab, and an ordered collection of tabs makes up an app, objects make up the heart of any app that we create with the platform.

With custom objects being so important—they have lots to do with how our app will look, behave, and feel—what we do with custom objects and how we use them quickly becomes essential to creating a successful app. The design of the data model behind an app is typically the biggest factor in its success or failure.

That's enough talk about objects for now. Let's go define one!