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8 Benefits of a Salesforce Code Scanner

Josh Rank
March 9, 2022

A Salesforce code scanner gives you the insight and ability to create and merge quality code, even in a multi-developer team.

Why It Matters: You can have the most thorough planning stages and streamlined deployment processes, but none of it will result in a successful product if the code is riddled with bugs and errors.

These mistakes are much more expensive to correct when found later in the DevOps lifecycle.
Bugs and errors that make it to a live environment become Salesforce data security liabilities.
Reworking existing code to fix errors monopolizes developer time and slows release velocity.

Here are 8 benefits you can expect from utilizing a Salesforce code scanner:

Speeds Time to Market
Reduces Technical Debt
Improves Data Security
Enables Other DevOps Tools
Eliminates Surprises
Increases Productivity
Results in Better Products
Complies with Data Security Regulations

1. Speeds Time to Market

Industry leaders are trailblazers. And being first to market with new services and capabilities is the fastest way to position yourself as a leader. But this is especially difficult if your Salesforce DevOps projects get stuck in testing phases, have difficult deployments, or experience bugs after their release.

A Salesforce code scanner provides the infrastructure your team needs to expedite the development and deployment of updates and applications.

Automated review processes take the arduous task of testing code stability out of your team members’ hands, so they can focus on pushing projects toward deployment. Scanning code enhances your production speed without sacrificing quality.

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2. Reduces Technical Debt

Getting projects to market quickly, however, can’t be your only goal. A failure to properly test your DevOps projects leads to bugs and errors that may not be found until after production, negatively impacting the experience of your end user. This is what’s known as technical debt—the inevitable cost of reworking updates and applications when speed is prioritized over quality.

Technical debt compounds over time and is a direct result of the failure to properly address various stages of the DevOps pipeline.

And while it might seem like ample testing would slow down the development of an application, a Salesforce code scanner actually expedites your release velocity. Plus, automating code checks allows your developers to continue writing and deploying while receiving immediate notification of errors. Otherwise, mistakes can snowball. So having the ability to address them immediately greatly reduces your potential for technical debt.

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3. Improves Data Security

Data breaches are expensive. In fact, the average cost of a data breach in 2021 was $4.24 million. So businesses need to take every possible precaution to guard against events like this. Threats are always evolving, which is why a streamlined DevOps pipeline is a great asset. The ability to quickly introduce updates and applications helps address these changing conditions.

Errors and bugs in the coding structure of your system can create data security vulnerabilities.

Your approach to code quality will directly impact the success (or failure!) of your data security strategy. Ensure strong code with the help of an automated static code analysis tool.

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4. Enables Other DevOps Tools

As you know, DevOps is the combination of development and operations considerations (and teams) into a singular pipeline. This means you are addressing multiple areas of a project at every stage throughout the process. This requires great communication and collaboration among team members, but it also requires a toolset that supports surrounding aspects of the pipeline.

A Salesforce code scanner sets up other DevOps tools like CI/CD for greater success by ensuring high code quality before a project reaches the integration stage.

The tools utilized throughout the DevOps pipeline are all aimed at a similar purpose: to create the best update or application possible. Incorporating a code scanner is a critical aspect of a well-rounded strategy to accomplish this.

Synergy is the idea that individual components add up to produce benefits greater than if the components were utilized on their own. DevOps tools create synergy by working together to refine the benefits of each other. Incorporating a Salesforce code scanner is an integral part of this equation.

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5. Eliminates Surprises

Even the most talented developers are going to make the occasional mistake. It’s inevitable and unavoidable. But as we mentioned earlier, those unchecked mistakes become a liability down the road. Besides that, the later they’re found, the more costly they are to fix.

Increased visibility into your code health and the success (or failure) of various parts of your DevOps pipeline keeps you informed.

A Salesforce code scanner offers visibility on two levels. First, it alerts developers the moment an error is written. Second, it provides reports and dashboards, so you can review how your pipeline is performing.

Increased visibility of your DevOps pipeline ensures nothing slips between the cracks. Predictability ensures proper planning of new projects and reduces the amount of time developers spend adjusting to unforeseen circumstances.

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6. Increases Productivity

You want to maximize your developers’ time. Wasting their efforts on inconsequential or repetitive tasks makes for a monotonous workday for them and a degradation in overall production for your company. Being productive is more than just being busy—it’s about optimizing output and ensuring every move contributes to a quality product.

Automation is the single greatest tool for increasing productivity and giving your team members the support they need to produce the best projects possible.

Static code analysis provides developers with the information they need to streamline various stages of the DevOps pipeline and fast-track the code review process. Increased productivity means an improved ROI for projects and a team empowered to produce more releases per year. Automation is the number one way a team can boost overall productivity.

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7. Results in Better Products

Implementing any DevOps tool always has one common goal: to optimize and streamline your development pipeline. The processes used when creating these products are costly if they’re not structured properly. And failing to provide the best tools makes it challenging for team members to produce quality products quickly.

A Salesforce code scanner inherently creates better products by ensuring high-quality code.

Reducing bugs and errors in a live environment helps ensure everything works smoothly and correctly. This benefits everyone, especially your end users, who can be easily annoyed when misfires degrade their experience.

Static code analysis tools work to eliminate errors long before a user encounters them. This creates trust in the marketplace with users who want to be sure your products are high quality and will work as intended.

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8. Complies with Data Security Regulations

Companies operating in regulated industries like healthcare, finance, and insurance deal with highly sensitive information. The infrastructure and applications that support the platforms of these companies need to be secure on all fronts.

Having strong code reduces the chances of experiencing a breach or data loss event, supporting careful adherence to data security regulations.

Faulty integrations, buggy updates, and insecure networks are all threats to data security. A quality Salesforce code scanner addresses the code that makes up your programs as well as the metadata that dictates how your interface acts.

Ensuring proper functionality through increased testing keeps your environment more secure, supports your efforts to remain compliant, and helps you avoid costly fines and penalties as well.

Give your team members the resources they need to increase the number of releases per year, maintain high code-quality standards, and reinforce overall data security measures through static code analysis.

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Next Step…

A Salesforce code scanner is best utilized when operating as part of a larger DevSecOps strategy. Visit here to learn more about how a code scanner can be leveraged alongside CI/CD solutions.

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FAQs

What is a Salesforce code scanner?

A Salesforce code scanner is an automated DevOps tool that checks lines of code in an update or application against a set of internal rules. These parameters are used to dictate whether or not the code is properly structured to avoid bugs, errors, and data security vulnerabilities. A static code analysis tool immediately alerts developers when an error is detected, so they can quickly update the code and fix the mistake. Errors that make it into a live environment are exponentially more costly to correct.

Does a Salesforce code scanner work with other DevOps tools?

Yes! Static code analysis tools like CodeScan integrate perfectly with a CI/CD pipeline to streamline development, testing, and integration. These tools work together seamlessly to reduce errors and create stronger code. The benefits of CI/CD tools and Salesforce code scanners support each other because they’re working toward a similar goal, just approaching it from different perspectives.

How do I get started with a Salesforce code scanner?

Find a static code analysis solution that is part of a larger Salesforce DevOps platform. The benefits of integrating static code analysis into automated release management are even more significant when the capabilities are provided by the same platform. This allows their functionalities to feed into each other for streamlined processes and guaranteed results.

Salesforce Application Code Scanning Tools for Static Analysis

Static code analysis is a way to debug and strengthen code with an automated scan. By comparing existing code against internal rule sets, the code scanning software can identify bugs and security vulnerabilities. Doing so shortens the review process and improves overall code health.

Why Static Code Analysis Is the Best Method

Static code analysis allows you to proactively fix issues before deployment, preventing the extra time and expense associated with addressing them later. The comprehensive approach analyzes code while it’s not running— or static—and before testing, serving as a quality check for better end user experiences and functionality.

How These Tools Work

The top code scanning tools—like CodeScan—can run as cloud software as a service and self-hosted solutions. They’re also compatible with the coding interfaces you’re comfortable with, so you can integrate them with your favorite editors as plug-ins.

These software applications work with a straightforward process:

Incorporate them into your existing environment by selecting the best deployment methods for your unique DevOps pipeline and demands.
Enter the code, and the automated tools compare it against known vulnerabilities and common errors, such as an undefined variable or syntax violation.
Receive feedback alerts to pinpoint the precise issue and where it’s occurring.
Correct the errors and strengthen the loopholes for healthier and more secure code.

What Comprises a Powerful Static Code Analysis Tool for Salesforce?

When choosing the right Salesforce code scanner, it’s imperative to have a solution that:

Maintains scalability: You want to build your organization’s applications for long-term use, and a healthier starting code means a stronger foundation to meet changing business demands.
Enforces your standards: Whether they’re your own internal ones, industry regulations, or best practices, you need a comprehensive tool to reinforce the rules you establish.
Supports all Salesforce languages: A robust code scanning application should include the functionality to analyze all Salesforce metadata and languages.
Provides real-time insights: With immediate feedback, DevOps professionals can proactively correct errors as they occur and apply what they’ve discovered to future projects.
Delivers granular analysis: A tool that provides visibility at line-item levels lets you swiftly navigate to and correct errors.
Integrates with your current environment: The best static code analyzers offer integrations and customization capabilities to become a valued partner in your DevOps tech stack.

CodeScan is a complete open-source code scanning tool with numerous benefits for Salesforce application development teams. We provide all of the above benefits—plus unlimited scanning and recommended fixes—exclusively for the Salesforce platform. Take advantage of a free demo today to see how we can help you drive more efficiency and quality in your DevOps pipeline.

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Tags: Salesforce Code Quality Tools, salesforce DevOps, salesforce static code analysis tool

8 Benefits of a Salesforce Code Scanner

1. Speeds Time to Market

2. Reduces Technical Debt

3. Improves Data Security

4. Enables Other DevOps Tools

5. Eliminates Surprises

6. Increases Productivity

7. Results in Better Products

8. Complies with Data Security Regulations

Next Step…

FAQs

Salesforce Application Code Scanning Tools for Static Analysis

Why Static Code Analysis Is the Best Method

How These Tools Work

What Comprises a Powerful Static Code Analysis Tool for Salesforce?

Develop high quality, secure code!

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