Salesforce Winter ’21 Release Notes (Developer Perspective)

Update Resources with the PATCH HTTP Method in Apex Callouts

To make partial or full updates to a resource in an HTTP web service, specify the PATCH method in the HttpRequest class. Previously, only the PUT method was supported for full updates.

https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_apex_callouts_patch.htm?edition=&impact=

Use the Safe Navigation Operator to Avoid Null Pointer Exceptions

Use the safe navigation operator (?.) to replace explicit, sequential checks for null references. This new operator short-circuits expressions that attempt to operate on a null value and returns null instead of throwing a NullPointerException.

Where: This change applies to Lightning Experience and Salesforce Classic in Enterprise, Performance, Unlimited, and Developer editions.

How: If the left-hand-side of the chain expression evaluates to null, the right-hand-side is not evaluated. Use the safe navigation operator (?.) in method, variable, and property chaining. The part of the expression that is not evaluated can include variable references, method references, or array expressions.

https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_apex_SafeNavigationOperator.htm?edition=&impact=

Instead of checking System.isFuture() || System.isQueueable(), detect Apex Runtime Context with RequestId and Quiddity

//Get info about the current request
Request reqInfo = Request.getCurrent();

//Universally unique identifier for this request
//Same as requestId in splunk or REQUEST_ID in event monitoring
String currentRequestId = reqInfo.getRequestId();

//enum representing how Apex is running. e.g. BULK_API vs LIGHTNING
//Use this with a switch statement,
//instead of checking System.isFuture() || System.isQueueable() || ...
Quiddity currentType = reqInfo.getQuiddity();

Improve Apex Testing with New SObject Error Methods

If the SObject.addError() method has been called on an SObject instance, the SObject.hasErrors() method returns true. The SObject.getErrors() method returns a list of Database.Error objects that contain the errors. encountered.https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_apex_trackErrors.htm?edition=&impact=

A new REST resource for Composite requests is now generally available

Then composite resources let you batch up multiple calls in a single call. By using this you can simplify your code, reduce network overhead, and improve your app’s performance.

composite graphs ensure that the steps in a given set of operations are either all completed or all terminated. It’s no longer necessary to check for a mix of successful and unsuccessful results. The Composite Graph resource payload increases the subrequest limit to 500 per payload, up from 25 per Standard Composite payload. A single API call can now do much more.

https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.api_rest.meta/api_rest/using_composite_resources.htm

Transform Data with a Few Clicks (Pilot)

Data in your Salesforce org is stored across different objects. Use Data Processing Engine to bring all the data in one place and transform it based on your requirements. Start by creating an instance of Data Processing Engine. Then select data sources, define the various configurations, and choose whether you want to use the transformed data to create records or update existing records.

https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_data_processing_engine_create.htm?edition=&impact=