Apex Maps

Introduction to Apex Maps

Apex Maps are a vital data structure in Salesforce, allowing developers to store data in key-value pairs. This format is particularly useful when you need to associate unique keys with specific values, enabling efficient data retrieval and manipulation.

Creating a Map in Apex

To create a map in Apex, you need to specify the data types for both the key and the value. The general syntax is Map. Let's look at an example.

Adding and Accessing Map Elements

Once you have a map, you can add elements to it using the put method. Similarly, you can access elements using the key associated with the value you want to retrieve.

Checking for Key or Value Existence

Apex Maps provide methods to check the presence of keys or values. Use containsKey to check if a key exists and containsValue to check for a specific value.

Iterating Over a Map

You can iterate over the keys and values of a map using a for loop. This is useful when you need to process or display all entries in the map.

Removing Elements from a Map

To remove an element from a map, use the remove method with the key of the element you want to delete. This operation modifies the map in place.

Conclusion

Apex Maps are powerful tools for managing key-value pairs in Salesforce. Understanding how to effectively create, modify, and utilize maps can significantly enhance your data management capabilities within the platform.