# Salesforce Platform Developer Tools

Salesforce offers several tools that can help experienced developers and admins accelerate the development process.

## Salesforce Postman Collection

Postman is a popular tool for testing API calls. The [Salesforce Developers Postman workspace](https://www.postman.com/salesforce-developers/workspace/salesforce-developers) contains a complete collection of sample requests that you can use to interact with Salesforce APIs, including Data 360 Connect API.

:::note
The collection includes a folder labeled Salesforce Marketing Cloud APIs. This folder contains requests designed for Marketing Cloud Engagement, which is a separate product. The Marketing Cloud Engagement APIs aren’t compatible with Marketing Cloud Next. For more information about developing on Marketing Cloud Engagement, see [Marketing Cloud Engagement APIs and Programmatic Languages](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/marketing/marketing-cloud/overview).
:::

## SoapUI and Salesforce Platform WSDL

SoapUI is a web-service testing application designed specifically for SOAP-based APIs. On the Setup page in the Salesforce user interface, you can generate a WSDL file that you can load into SoapUI. To see the steps involved in configuring SoapUI to work with the Salesforce Platform, see the [Use SOAP API](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/api_basics/api_basics_soap) module on Trailhead.

## Salesforce Command-Line Interface

Salesforce CLI is a command-line interface that provides an easy way to manage and automate your Salesforce orgs. For example, you can use the CLI to quickly create, read, update, and delete contact records. For more information, see [Install Salesforce CLI](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.sfdx_setup.meta/sfdx_setup/sfdx_setup_install_cli.htm).

## Extensions for Visual Studio Code

Developers who build on the Salesforce Platform often use Visual Studio Code. The Salesforce Extension Packs provide helpful tools for interacting with Salesforce APIs and SDKs.

:::important
Before you install one of these extensions, install the Salesforce CLI and either [version 11](https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase/jdk11-archive-downloads.html) or [version 17](https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/downloads/#java17) of the Java Developer Kit (JDK).
:::

- Salesforce Extension Pack

  - : These tools provide features for working with development orgs (scratch orgs, sandboxes, and Developer Edition orgs), Apex, Aura components, and Visualforce.

    To install the Extension Pack, search for “Salesforce Extension Pack” in the Visual Studio Code Extension Marketplace, and then click the **Install** button next to Salesforce Extension Pack.

- Salesforce Extension Pack (Expanded)

  - : This expanded version of the Salesforce Extension Pack includes all of the extensions in the standard extension pack. It also includes several third-party extensions for formatting code, performing static analysis, and analyzing logs.

    To install the Extension Pack, search for “Salesforce Extension Pack” in the Visual Studio Code Extension Marketplace, and then click the **Install** button next to Salesforce Extension Pack (Expanded).