Primitive Data Types

Decimal Data Type in Apex

The Decimal data type is used to store numbers that contain decimal values with high precision. It is commonly used in financial calculations, currency values, discounts, taxes, commissions, and percentages where accuracy is extremely important.

Unlike floating-point numbers, Decimal minimizes rounding errors, making it the preferred choice for most Salesforce business applications involving money and calculations.

Why Do We Need Decimal?

Many Salesforce applications deal with financial information such as Opportunity Amount, Product Price, Tax, Discount, Commission, and Budget. Even a small rounding error can produce incorrect business results.

The Decimal data type helps maintain calculation accuracy, ensuring that financial values remain reliable throughout the application.

Syntax

Decimal variableName = value;

Example 1: Declaring a Decimal Variable

The following example stores a product price in a Decimal variable.

// Execute Anonymous Window

Decimal productPrice = 1999.99;

System.debug(productPrice);

Output

1999.99

Explanation

• Decimal stores numbers with decimal values.
• 1999.99 is assigned to productPrice.
• System.debug() prints the value in the Debug Log.

Example 2: Calculating Product Discount

Suppose an online shopping application offers a 10% discount on a product priced at ₹25,000.

Decimal price = 25000;

Decimal discount =
price * 10 / 100;

System.debug(discount);

Output

2500

Explanation

• The product price is ₹25,000.
• The discount percentage is 10%.
• The calculated discount is ₹2,500.

Example 3: Calculating GST

Let's calculate an 18% GST for a product.

Decimal amount = 50000;

Decimal gst =
amount * 18 / 100;

System.debug(gst);

Output

9000

Example 4: Final Amount After Discount

Decimal amount = 50000;

Decimal discount =
amount * 20 / 100;

Decimal finalAmount =
amount - discount;

System.debug(finalAmount);

Output

40000

Example 5: Average Sales Calculation

Decimal january = 150000.75;
Decimal february = 180000.50;
Decimal march = 210000.25;

Decimal average =
(january + february + march) / 3;

System.debug(average);

Output

180000.50

Example 6: Comparing Decimal Values

Decimal target = 500000;

Decimal achieved = 520000.75;

if(achieved >= target){

    System.debug('Target Achieved');

}
else{

    System.debug('Target Not Achieved');

}

Output

Target Achieved

Example 7: Decimal in an Apex Class

public class DiscountCalculator {

    public static Decimal calculateDiscount(
        Decimal amount,
        Decimal percentage
    ){

        return amount * percentage / 100;

    }

}

Calling the Method

Decimal discount =
DiscountCalculator.calculateDiscount(
    75000,
    15
);

System.debug(discount);

Output

11250

Decimal vs Integer

Integer price = 999.99;

Quick Revision

• Decimal stores numbers with fractional values.
• It is the preferred data type for currency and financial calculations.
• Decimal provides higher precision than floating-point numbers.
• Common use cases include Opportunity Amount, Discount, Tax, Commission, and Budget calculations.
• Avoid using Integer when decimal values are required.

Double Data Type in Apex

The Double data type is used to store decimal numbers using double-precision floating-point representation. It is suitable for scientific calculations, mathematical formulas, engineering computations, and situations where approximate decimal values are acceptable.

Although both Decimal and Double can store numbers with decimal values, they are designed for different purposes.

In Salesforce development, Decimal is generally preferred for financial calculations, while Double is useful for mathematical and scientific calculations where very large or very small numbers need to be processed efficiently.

Why Do We Need Double?

Some applications perform mathematical or scientific calculations where performance is more important than perfect decimal precision.

Examples include:

• GPS Coordinate Calculations
• Distance Calculations
• Temperature Monitoring
• Engineering Measurements
• Physics Simulations
• Machine Learning Calculations

Syntax

Double variableName = value;

Example 1: Declaring a Double Variable

The following example stores a temperature value.

// Execute Anonymous Window

Double temperature = 36.78;

System.debug(temperature);

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [3]|DEBUG|36.78

Explanation

• Double stores decimal values.
• It supports floating-point calculations.
• The value is displayed using System.debug().

Example 2: Calculate Average Temperature

Double monday = 36.4;
Double tuesday = 37.1;
Double wednesday = 35.8;

Double average =
(monday + tuesday + wednesday)/3;

System.debug(average);

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [6]|DEBUG|36.43333333333333

Example 3: GPS Coordinates

Double latitude = 28.613939;
Double longitude = 77.209023;

System.debug(latitude);
System.debug(longitude);

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [4]|DEBUG|28.613939

USER_DEBUG [5]|DEBUG|77.209023

Example 4: Mathematical Calculation

Double radius = 7.5;

Double area =
3.14159 * radius * radius;

System.debug(area);

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [5]|DEBUG|176.7144375

Example 5: Scientific Notation

Double speedOfLight = 3.0E8;

System.debug(speedOfLight);

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [3]|DEBUG|3.0E8

Scientific notation is useful for representing extremely large or extremely small values.

Decimal vs Double

When Should You Use Double?

Quick Revision

• Double stores floating-point decimal values.
• It is commonly used for scientific and engineering calculations.
• Use Double for GPS coordinates, sensor readings, and measurements.
• Do not use Double for currency or financial calculations.
• Choose Decimal whenever exact precision is required.

Long Data Type in Apex

The Long data type is used to store very large whole numbers that exceed the storage capacity of the Integer data type. Like Integer, Long stores only whole numbers, but it supports a much larger numeric range.

In Salesforce, Long is useful when working with large record counts, file sizes, timestamps, unique identifiers, batch processing statistics, and integrations that exchange large numeric values.

Why Do We Need Long?

Although Integer is sufficient for most business applications, certain scenarios involve extremely large numbers that exceed its maximum limit.

For example, a data warehouse, IoT platform, banking system, or enterprise integration may process billions of records or generate very large numeric identifiers.

Syntax

Long variableName = value;

Example 1: Declaring a Long Variable

The following example stores a large numeric value.

// Execute Anonymous Window

Long totalPopulation = 8200000000L;

System.debug(totalPopulation);

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [3]|DEBUG|8200000000

Explanation

• Long stores large whole numbers.
• The suffix L indicates that the value is of type Long.
• System.debug() displays the value in the Debug Log.

Example 2: File Size Calculation

Suppose a document management application stores file sizes in bytes.

Long fileSize = 5368709120L;

System.debug(fileSize);

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [3]|DEBUG|5368709120

Example 3: Batch Processing Statistics

Long processedRecords = 1500000000L;

System.debug(
'Processed Records = ' + processedRecords
);

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [4]|DEBUG|Processed Records = 1500000000

Example 4: Store Epoch Timestamp

Many REST APIs exchange timestamps in milliseconds since January 1, 1970 (Unix Epoch).

Long epochTime = 1752518400000L;

System.debug(epochTime);

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [3]|DEBUG|1752518400000

This value can later be converted into a readable DateTime if required.

Example 5: Comparing Long Values

Long target = 1000000000L;

Long processed = 1200000000L;

if(processed > target){

    System.debug('Target Achieved');

}
else{

    System.debug('Target Not Achieved');

}

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [6]|DEBUG|Target Achieved

Integer vs Long

When Should You Use Long?

Long amount = 1000.75;

Quick Revision

• Long stores very large whole numbers.
• It does not support decimal values.
• Use Long for timestamps, large counters, file sizes, and external IDs.
• Use Integer for everyday counting operations.
• Append L to large numeric literals for clarity.

Boolean Data Type in Apex

The Boolean data type represents one of two possible values: true or false. It is commonly used to make decisions, evaluate conditions, and control the execution flow of an Apex program.

Almost every Salesforce application uses Boolean values to determine whether a condition is satisfied. Examples include checking whether a user is active, whether an Opportunity is Closed Won, whether a record is approved, or whether an Account is eligible for a discount.

Why Do We Need Boolean?

Business applications frequently need to answer questions that have only two possible outcomes.

Syntax

Boolean variableName = true;
Boolean variableName = false;

Example 1: Declaring a Boolean Variable

// Execute Anonymous Window

Boolean isActive = true;

System.debug(isActive);

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [3]|DEBUG|true

Explanation

• Boolean stores either true or false.
• The value true is assigned to isActive.
• System.debug() prints the value in the Debug Log.

Example 2: Using Boolean with if Statement

Boolean isApproved = true;

if(isApproved){

    System.debug('Promotion Approved');

}
else{

    System.debug('Promotion Pending');

}

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [5]|DEBUG|Promotion Approved

Example 3: Opportunity Status

Boolean isClosedWon = false;

if(isClosedWon){

    System.debug('Generate Invoice');

}
else{

    System.debug('Opportunity Still Open');

}

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [7]|DEBUG|Opportunity Still Open

Example 4: Customer Eligibility

Boolean isPremiumCustomer = true;

Boolean eligibleForDiscount =
isPremiumCustomer;

System.debug(
'Discount Eligible = ' +
eligibleForDiscount
);

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [6]|DEBUG|Discount Eligible = true

Example 5: Boolean Expression

Integer orderAmount = 15000;

Boolean freeShipping =
orderAmount >= 10000;

System.debug(freeShipping);

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [5]|DEBUG|true

Boolean Operators

Example 6: Logical AND

Boolean paymentReceived = true;

Boolean stockAvailable = true;

if(paymentReceived && stockAvailable){

    System.debug(
    'Dispatch Order'
    );

}

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [8]|DEBUG|Dispatch Order

Example 7: Logical OR

Boolean admin = false;

Boolean manager = true;

if(admin || manager){

    System.debug(
    'Access Granted'
    );

}

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [8]|DEBUG|Access Granted

Example 8: Logical NOT

Boolean isLocked = false;

System.debug(!isLocked);

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [3]|DEBUG|true

Boolean vs Integer vs String

if(isActive == true)

if(isActive)

Quick Revision

• Boolean stores only two values: true and false.
• It is mainly used for decision-making and conditional logic.
• Boolean works with if, else, and logical operators such as &&, ||, and !.
• Use meaningful Boolean variable names to improve readability.
• Avoid unnecessary comparisons like == true.

String Support in Apex

One of the most frequently used data types in Salesforce Apex is the String. A String represents a sequence of characters and is used to store textual information such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, addresses, product names, account names, error messages, and API responses.

Since Salesforce stores a significant amount of business information as text, String plays an important role in almost every Apex application. Whether you're validating user input, generating dynamic messages, sending emails, or integrating with external systems, you'll frequently work with String values.

Why Do We Need String?

Business applications deal with much more than numbers. Customer names, company names, product descriptions, email addresses, order numbers, comments, and support messages are all stored as text.

The String data type enables Apex developers to create, manipulate, compare, and process textual information efficiently.

Simple String Example

The following example stores a customer's name in a String variable.

// Execute Anonymous Window

String customerName = 'Rahul Sharma';

System.debug(customerName);

Debug Log Output

USER_DEBUG [3]|DEBUG|Rahul Sharma

In this example, the variable customerName stores text instead of numbers. Apex automatically treats the value enclosed within single quotes as a String.

Real Business Scenario

Where is String Used in Salesforce?