Explore the slides for the April Brisbane Developers User Group as Peter explores your options for generating Apex code for Salesforce.

3. Peter Caitens
Salesforce Lead Developer
8Squad Pty Ltd

4. Todays Agenda
Why Code Generation Matters
Code Generation Tools
Einstein for Developers

5. Meet Tom
● Mid-level Salesforce Developer
● Works for a small real estate firm
● He has been asked to write a new utility class
● So as a good SF developer he:
○ Checks out Trailhead for the best practices
○ Spends 1 day writing his class
○ Spends another day writing the test class and manages to get to 76% coverage
○ Whew! Job Done

6. Why Code Generation Matters
1. Code generation significantly boosts developer productivity
2. Code generation improves code quality and consistency
3. Code generation accelerates innovation and time-to-market
4. Code generation democratizes access to development skills
So, let’s have a look at some of the main code generation tools available to us
as developers today.

7. ChatGPT
What is it?
● A powerful large language model (LLM) chatbot developed by
OpenAI
● Can generate text, translate language , write different kinds of creative
content, and answer your questions in an informative way
● Generates creative, human-like code snippets
● Understands natural language instructions
● Can adapt to various coding styles and patterns
● Can provide inaccurate or misleading
code especially for complex Salesforce-
specific scenarios
● Requires careful validation before
deployment
● Still under development, reliability can be
inconsistent
Pros Cons

8. GitHub Copilot
What is it?
● AI-powered code suggestion tool developed by GitHub and
OpenAI
● Integrated directly into your code editor (e.g., VS Code)
● Suggests contextually relevant code in real-time
● "Learns" your coding style over time
● Works well for common, repetitive code
patterns
● Seamless VS Code integration
● May not grasp complex Apex logic or
Salesforce-specific nuances
● Can inadvertently introduce bad coding
habits if not carefully reviewed
● Costs $
Pros Cons

9. Einstein for Developers
What is it?
● Salesforce-native suite of AI-powered development tools
● Includes features like Code Generation, Code Completion, and Code
Recommendations
● Tailored to Salesforce, understands platform-specific
details
● Integrates seamlessly with Salesforce development
workflows (VS Code, Salesforce DX)
● Improves code quality and adherence to best
practices
● Less flexible in creative code generation
compared to ChatGPT
● May require some initial setup or
configuration
Pros Cons

10. Which One to Choose
Key Considerations
● Complexities of Code
○ Simple tasks? Copilot might do
○ Complex logic? Lead towards Einstein
○ Want experimental solutions? ChatGPT
● Salesforce Expertise
○ Deep platform knowledge favours Einstein
● Integration
○ Want it within your workflow? Einstein or Copilot shine

11. The Future of code Generation
● The Big Picture:
○ Code generation is rapidly evolving
○ Expect even more sophisticated and specialized tools to emerge
● Focus on Learning:
○ Don't let tools replace core Salesforce development skills
○ Use them to augment your expertise, not as a crutch
● A Collaborative Future:
○ Imagine tools understanding code intent, refactoring intelligently...

12. Einstein for Developers Setup
Step 1: Setup Einstein for Developers Setup

13. Einstein for Developers Setup
Step 2: Install the VSCode Extension

14. Einstein for Developers Setup
Step 3: Run your query

15. Tom Catchup
● He has been asked to write another class
● He has just listened to this talk and is
inspired to try Einstein for Developers
● So, as a good Salesforce AI Developer he:
○ creates a query in Einstein for Developer that create a large piece of the code he requires
○ Fills out the specifics of the code
○ Asks Einstein for Developers to create the test class for him
○ Tweaks the tests to get them to pass
○ Jobs done in 1 day.

17. STOP RECORDING

18. Brisbane Developer Group
Next Meeting
● Advanced Flow Concepts Every Developer Should Know
○ May 1 - 12pm, virtual with Tim Combridge
Session Topic Suggestions
LinkedIn Group
● https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14345387/