PDI Exam Format | Course Contents | Outline | Syllabus | Objectives

PDI Exam Syllabus & Study Guide

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The information below reflects the 2026 syllabus defined by Salesforce.

Below are complete topics detail with latest syllabus and course outline, that will help you good knowledge about exam objectives and topics that you have to prepare. These contents are covered in questions and answers pool of exam.

EXAM CODE: PDI EXAM NAME: Platform Developer I Content: 60 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions Time allotted to complete the exam: 110 minutes Passing Score: 65% Registration fee: USD 200- plus applicable taxes as required per local law Retake fee: USD 100- plus applicable taxes as required per local law SALESFORCE FUNDAMENTALS  Describe the considerations when developing in a multi-tenant environment.  Describe how the Salesforce platform features map to the MVC pattern.  Describe the capabilities of the core CRM objects in the Salesforce schema.  Identify the common scenarios for extending an application's capabilities using the AppExchange.  Identify common use cases for declarative customization of the Lightning Platform- and customization and features of the Heroku platform. DATA MODELING AND MANAGEMENT  Given a set of requirements- determine the appropriate data model.  Describe the capabilities of the various relationship types and the implications of each on record access- user interface (UI)- and object-oriented programming.  Describe the impact of schema design and modifications on Apex Development.  Describe how to visualize and create entity relationships.  Describe the options for and considerations when importing and exporting data into development environments. LOGIC AND PROCESS AUTOMATION  Describe how to programmatically access and utilize the object schema.  Describe the capabilities and use cases for formula fields.  Describe the capabilities and use cases for roll-up summary fields.  Describe the capabilities of the declarative process automation features.  Describe when to use declarative automation features vs. Apex classes and triggers.  Describe how to declare variables and constants in Apex and how to assign values using expressions.  Describe the primitive and complex Apex data types and when to use them.  Describe how to use and apply Apex control flow statements. Weighting 46% Weighting 10% Weighting 12% SALESFORCE CERTIFIED PLATFORM DEVELOPER I ©Copyright 2018 Salesforce.com- inc. All rights reserved. 7  Describe how to write and when to use Apex classes and interfaces.  Describe how to use basic SOSL- SOQL- and DML statements when working with objects in Apex.  Describe the basic patterns used in triggers and classes to process data efficiently.  Describe when to use and how to write triggers.  Describe the implications of governor limits on Apex transactions.  Describe the relationship between Apex transactions- the save order of execution- and the potential for recursion and/or cascading.  Describe how to implement exception handling in Apex.  Describe how to write Visualforce controllers.  Describe when and how to use standard Visualforce controllers vs. Apex custom controllers and controller extensions.  Describe the programmatic techniques to prevent security vulnerabilities in Apex and Visualforce.  Describe how Apex impacts the ability to make declarative changes. USER INTERFACE  Describe how to display Salesforce data using a Visualforce page.  Describe the types of web content that can be incorporated into Visualforce pages.  Describe how to incorporate Visualforce pages into Lightning Platform applications.  Describe the benefits of the Lightning Component framework.  Describe the resources that can be contained in a Lightning Component. TESTING  Describe the testing framework and requirements for deployment.  Describe how to write unit tests for triggers- controllers- and classes.  Describe when and how to use various sources of test data.  Describe how to execute one or multiple test classes.  Describe the differences between invoking Apex in execute anonymous vs. unit tests.