Salesforce Lightning Platform
A Salesforce Lightning Platform is a component-based framework for building and deploying online applications on the Salesforce platform.
- AKA: Lightning Platform, Salesforce Lightning, Salesforce Application Development Platform.
- Context:
- It can (typically) function as a Low-Code Development Platform (LCDP) through Salesforce Lightning declarative development tools.
- It can (typically) serve as a No-Code Software Development Platform via Salesforce Lightning point-and-click configuration.
- It can (typically) operate as a Business Process Automation (BPA) Platform through Salesforce Lightning workflow automation.
- It can (typically) act as a 3rd-Party Software Development Platform for Salesforce Lightning independent software vendors.
- It can (typically) provide Salesforce Lightning Component Architecture through Salesforce Lightning reusable components.
- It can (typically) enable Salesforce Lightning App Development via Salesforce Lightning declarative tools.
- It can (typically) support Salesforce Lightning Process Automation through Salesforce Lightning workflow builders.
- It can (typically) deliver Salesforce Lightning User Interface via Salesforce Lightning Experience.
- It can (typically) maintain Salesforce Lightning Security through Salesforce Lightning identity management.
- It can (typically) integrate with Salesforce Einstein Platform for Salesforce Lightning AI capabilities.
- It can trace its origins to Salesforce Force.com and Salesforce (Force.com) Platform.
- ...
- It can (often) integrate Salesforce Lightning Einstein AI for Salesforce Lightning intelligent automation.
- It can (often) provide Salesforce Lightning Mobile Development through Salesforce Lightning mobile SDKs.
- It can (often) support Salesforce Lightning API Access via Salesforce Lightning REST services.
- It can (often) enable Salesforce Lightning Data Management through Salesforce Lightning custom objects.
- ...
- It can range from being a Simple Salesforce Lightning Platform to being a Complex Salesforce Lightning Platform, depending on its Salesforce Lightning application complexity.
- It can range from being a No-Code Salesforce Lightning Platform to being a Pro-Code Salesforce Lightning Platform, depending on its Salesforce Lightning development approach.
- It can range from being a Basic Salesforce Lightning Platform to being an Enterprise Salesforce Lightning Platform, depending on its Salesforce Lightning feature scope.
- ...
- It can include:
- Lightning App Builder: This is a drag-and-drop tool for building custom user interfaces for Salesforce apps.
- Lightning Components: These are pre-built, reusable building blocks that you can use to add functionality to your apps.
- Salesforce Lightning Web Components (LWC): These are Salesforce Lightning modern web standards-based components for Salesforce Lightning performant development.
- Lightning Flow: This is a tool for building automated business processes using a visual, drag-and-drop interface.
- Lightning Experience: This is the user interface for Salesforce, which has been redesigned to be more modern and efficient.
- Lightning Out: This is a tool for embedding Lightning Components in external websites and applications.
- Salesforce Lightning Mobile Development Platform: This is a mobile application development platform that enables you to build custom mobile apps for iOS and Android using Salesforce data and functionality.
- Lightning Platform Mobile: This is a mobile application development platform that enables you to build custom mobile apps for iOS and Android using Salesforce data and functionality.
- Salesforce AppExchange: This is an online marketplace where you can find, try, and install pre-built applications and components that are built on the Lightning Platform.
- Lightning Mobile Development.
- Salesforce Lightning Extensions: These are Salesforce Lightning add-on components and Front-End Extensions for Salesforce Lightning enhanced functionality.
- It can integrate with Salesforce Cloud Services for Salesforce Lightning cross-cloud functionality.
- It can connect to Salesforce Data Cloud for Salesforce Lightning unified data access.
- It can interface with Salesforce Integration Platforms for Salesforce Lightning external system connectivity.
- It can communicate with Salesforce AI Platforms for Salesforce Lightning intelligent capabilities.
- It can support 3rd-Party Software Development Frameworks for Salesforce Lightning custom development extensions.
- It can enable Salesforce CRM System Architecture through Salesforce Lightning CRM customization.
- ...
- Example(s):
- Salesforce Lightning Platform Evolution, such as:
- Salesforce Force.com (2005), introducing Salesforce custom objects and Salesforce workflow capabilities.
- Salesforce Apex (2006), adding Salesforce programmatic development to Salesforce Force.com platform.
- Salesforce Visualforce (2008), enabling Salesforce custom user interface development.
- Salesforce Process Builder (2014), providing Salesforce visual process automation.
- Salesforce Aura Components (2014), introducing Salesforce component-based architecture.
- Salesforce Lightning Experience (2015), launching Salesforce modern user interface.
- Salesforce Lightning App Builder (2015), enabling Salesforce drag-and-drop application development.
- Salesforce Lightning Flow Builder (2018), replacing Salesforce classic flow designer.
- Salesforce Lightning Web Components (2019), introducing Salesforce modern web standards.
- Salesforce Lightning Platform (2024), enhancing Salesforce Lightning user interface design.
- Salesforce Lightning Platform (2025), integrating Salesforce Lightning AI capabilities.
- Salesforce Lightning Platform Component Types, such as:
- Salesforce Lightning Development Components, such as:
- Salesforce Lightning Aura Components for Salesforce Lightning client-side controllers.
- Salesforce Lightning Web Components (LWC) for Salesforce Lightning standards-based development.
- Salesforce Lightning Apex Controllers for Salesforce Lightning server-side logic.
- Salesforce Lightning Extensions for Salesforce Lightning custom functionality.
- Salesforce Lightning Platform Types, such as:
- Low-Code Development Platform (LCDP) implementation for Salesforce Lightning citizen developers.
- No-Code Software Development Platform implementation for Salesforce Lightning business users.
- No-Code Application Development Builder features for Salesforce Lightning declarative development.
- Salesforce Lightning Mobile Components, such as:
- Salesforce Lightning Automation Components, such as:
- Salesforce Lightning Interface Components, such as:
- Salesforce Lightning Development Components, such as:
- Salesforce Lightning Platform Editions, such as:
- Salesforce Lightning Platform Applications, such as:
- ...
- Salesforce Lightning Platform Evolution, such as:
- Counter-Example(s):
- Salesforce Classic UI, which lacks Salesforce Lightning component-based architecture.
- Microsoft Power Platform, which uses Microsoft cloud infrastructure.
- GCP Firebase Platform, which focuses on mobile backend services.
- AWS Amplify, which operates on Amazon Web Services.
- Google App Maker, which was discontinued platform.
- OutSystems, which focuses on low-code enterprise development.
- Mendix, which provides alternative low-code platform.
- See: Force.com, Salesforce Platform, Salesforce (Force.com) Platform, Salesforce Development, Component-Based Development, Low-Code Platform, Low-Code Development Platform (LCDP), No-Code Software Development Platform, No-Code Application Development Builder, Business Process Automation (BPA) Platform, 3rd-Party Software Development Platform, 3rd-Party Software Development Framework, Salesforce Einstein, Salesforce Einstein Platform, Salesforce AppExchange, Salesforce Flow, Lightning Web Components, Salesforce Lightning Web Components (LWC), Aura Components, Visualforce, Apex Programming Language, Salesforce Lightning Mobile Development Platform, Salesforce Lightning Extension, Front-End Extension, Salesforce CRM System Architecture.
References
- https://www.salesforce.com/platform/
- https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/component-library/documentation/en/lwc
- https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/content/learn/modules/platform_dev_basics
2023
- chat.openai.com
- Q: What is Salesforce Lightning?
- A: Salesforce Lightning is a collection of tools and technologies for building and deploying web-based applications on the Salesforce platform. It includes a framework for building user interfaces, a set of tools for developing and managing applications, and a runtime environment for executing applications.
Lightning is designed to be a modern, flexible, and agile platform for building enterprise-grade applications. It includes a wide range of features and tools for building applications quickly and efficiently, including a component-based architecture, a declarative programming model, and integration with other Salesforce platforms and services.
Lightning is used by developers to build custom applications on the Salesforce platform, and is also used to customize and extend the functionality of the Salesforce CRM (customer relationship management) system. It is a popular platform for building business applications, and is used by many companies around the world.
2023
- chat.openai.com
- Q: What are some of the components of Salesforce Lightning Platform?
- A: The Salesforce Lightning Platform is a collection of tools and services for building and managing applications on the Salesforce platform.
Some of the key components of the Lightning Platform include:
- Lightning App Builder: This is a drag-and-drop tool for building custom user interfaces for Salesforce apps.
- Lightning Components: These are pre-built, reusable building blocks that you can use to add functionality to your apps.
- Lightning Flow: This is a tool for building automated business processes using a visual, drag-and-drop interface.
- Lightning Experience: This is the user interface for Salesforce, which has been redesigned to be more modern and efficient.
- Lightning Out: This is a tool for embedding Lightning Components in external websites and applications.
- Lightning Platform Mobile: This is a mobile application development platform that enables you to build custom mobile apps for iOS and Android using Salesforce data and functionality.
- Salesforce AppExchange: This is an online marketplace where you can find, try, and install pre-built applications and components built on the Lightning Platform.
- ...
- The following table compares the Force.com Platform and the Salesforce Lightning Platform, highlighting their respective features and functionalities. It includes a column indicating whether the feature is available in the Force.com or Lightning Platform and another column showing the approximate year each feature was introduced. The table offers a clear understanding of the evolution of Salesforce's platform over time and the differences between the two stages of its development.
Feature/Functionality | Force.com | Lightning Platform | Year Introduced |
---|---|---|---|
Apex | Yes | Yes | 2006 |
Visualforce | Yes | Yes* | 2008 |
SOQL | Yes | Yes | 2005 |
SOSL | Yes | Yes | 2005 |
Workflow | Yes | Yes | 2006 |
Process Builder | Yes | Yes | 2014 |
Flow (Classic) | Yes | No | 2011 |
Custom Objects | Yes | Yes | 2005 |
Custom Fields | Yes | Yes | 2005 |
Custom Relationships | Yes | Yes | 2005 |
Lightning Experience | No | Yes | 2015 |
Aura Components | No | Yes | 2014 |
Lightning Web Components (LWC) | No | Yes | 2019 |
Lightning App Builder | No | Yes | 2015 |
Lightning Flow (Flow Builder) | No | Yes | 2018 |
2022
- https://www.salesforce.com/campaign/lightning/faq/
- QUOTE: ... With an updated and efficient UI, Lightning Experience enables teams to spend more time providing exceptional customer experiences — and less time juggling technologies and applications.
- Find, prioritize, and act on important work
- Make calls, take notes, log tasks, and send emails from a single page
- Work smarter with a built-in data scientist
- Deliver personalized service, faster ...
- QUOTE: ... With an updated and efficient UI, Lightning Experience enables teams to spend more time providing exceptional customer experiences — and less time juggling technologies and applications.
2021
- https://www.peeklogic.com/article/migrate-to-salesforce-lightning/
- QUOTE: Salesforce Lightning Experience uses component-based architecture. It is a collection of components that can work together. Components in the framework are loosely coupled and communicate with each other using public interface or event messaging model. In this case UI element doesn’t interact with the server directly.
It has a client-side controller, which is used to perform an action and interact with the server-side apex controller whenever needed.
- QUOTE: Salesforce Lightning Experience uses component-based architecture. It is a collection of components that can work together. Components in the framework are loosely coupled and communicate with each other using public interface or event messaging model. In this case UI element doesn’t interact with the server directly.
2021
- https://mohan-chinnappan-n.github.io/books/lx/chap-1/body.html
- QUOTE: Two types of events in the Lightning Component Framework:
- Component events are handled by the component itself or a component that instantiates or contains the component (parent component).
- Application events are handled by all components that are listening to the event. These events are essentially a traditional publish-subscribe model.
- Sequence Diagram:
- QUOTE: Two types of events in the Lightning Component Framework: