Unleashing the Power of Separation of Concerns in Salesforce Architecture

In the fast-paced world of software development, one principle stands out to me as universally impactful: Separation of Concerns (SoC). Beyond coding, this concept resonates deeply in everyday life—whether it’s in how we interact with colleagues, navigate family dynamics, or even approach teamwork. Reflecting on my days as a volleyball player, this principle was ever-present. The setter couldn’t possibly focus on receiving the opponent’s serve—that was the receivers' job. His role was to anticipate the ball's trajectory after it was received and prepare for the next play. By dividing responsibilities, the team functioned seamlessly, just as SoC enables clarity and efficiency in development—and in life.

This design pattern is essential in software development, including Salesforce. SoC is not just theoretical; it is a practical approach that leads to more maintainable and scalable applications. Understanding and applying this principle can dramatically enhance your development processes, whether you're structuring your APEX code or creating user interfaces.

What is Separation of Concerns?

Separation of Concerns is a principle that promotes dividing a program into distinct sections, each focusing on a different aspect of the application. This strategy greatly improves how the components are organizated and how each component interacts with each other, in essence this leads to better designed, better performing and more maintainable applications.

The Importance of SoC in Software Architecture

When implemented effectively, Separation of Concerns can drastically impact software architecture. The benefits include:

1. Improved Maintainability: Each section of code handles only one aspect. If UI updates are needed, developers can change the presentation layer without altering data logic.

   
   

2. Enhanced Reusability: Components designed with SoC can be reused in different applications or projects. For instance, reusable components created in one Salesforce project can save time for future projects.

   
   

3. Streamlined Collaboration: By separating concerns, different team members can work on various sections concurrently. This promotes collaboration and helps teams work more efficiently, often completing projects faster.

   
   

4. Better Testing: Isolating application concerns allows for focused unit testing. This means individual components can be thoroughly tested before they are integrated into the broader system.

   
   

Applying SoC in Salesforce Development

Salesforce provides an excellent environment where Separation of Concerns can be effectively utilized. Below are practical examples:

User Interface and Data Layer

When creating an optimal user experience in Salesforce, it is crucial to separate the UI from the data layer. Developers might use Lightning Web Components (LWC) to build responsive UIs while using Apex classes for business logic and data manipulation.

This structure allows for UI changes without touching the underlying database structure or business rules. For instance, if a company wants to revamp its order entry interface, they can do so quickly, which enhances responsiveness to customer feedback.

Programmatic Logic in APEX

APEX requires careful architectural design. Organizing programmatic logic using SoC can be done by dividing business rules and data processing across multiple classes.

Consider this example: Rather than consolidating all customer data processing into one large APEX class, break it down into smaller classes for specific functions—like data retrieval, validation, or manipulation. As discussed in Andrew Fawcett’s book, Salesforce Lightning Platform Enterprise Architecture, this strategy clarifies code and improves system design. The described patterns emphasize layered architecture, which includes the Service Layer, Domain Layer, and Selector Layer. Each layer has a specific role: the Service Layer coordinates business processes, the Domain Layer encapsulates logic tied to specific data objects, and the Selector Layer handles data retrieval operations. By adhering to these layers, developers can create scalable, maintainable, and robust applications, staying true to the principle of Separation of Concerns.

Real-World Application of SoC

Let’s look at a hypothetical application designed to track customer orders.

In this example, the APEX classes should be organized around specific operations such as inventory management, customer notifications, and order processing. The UI should constructed using declarative or LWCs, but in both cases the UI logic should be essentially presentation only. This organization allows developers to resolve issues quickly, which ultimately leads to faster updates and lower costs.

Final Thoughts

Embracing Separation of Concerns in Salesforce architecture goes beyond theory; it provides tangible benefits that lead to more maintainable, scalable, and collaborative systems. By organizing your code effectively—whether you're developing UI components or building APEX logic—you create systems that adapt to change with ease.

With practice, your understanding of Separation of Concerns will enhance your Salesforce projects and serve as a cornerstone of your broader coding philosophy. The next time you write code, remember: well-structured architecture lays the foundation for a smoother development journey.

Useful links:

• Andrew Fawcett’s book "Salesforce Lightning Platform Enterprise Architecture"

• Blog Post on the Apex Enterprise Patterns - https://www.apexhours.com/apex-enterprise-patterns/

Please note the views expressed in this blog are my personal opinions and do not represent the official stance or opinions of the company I work for.