A Salesforce DevOps course
Course introduction
Writing good code is about more than just getting it to work. Over time, poor code quality makes it harder to add new features, fix bugs, and keep your org secure. In this static code analysis and PMD course, you’ll learn how static code analysis can help your team maintain high standards for Apex development — spotting potential code issues before they become real problems, and building better habits as a team.
We’ll walk through the benefits of Salesforce static code analysis, how it differs from other types of testing, and how to put it into practice. You’ll focus on PMD, a powerful and popular static analysis tool for Salesforce code, and see how to configure it to meet your team’s needs — whether you’re just getting started or looking to tighten up your existing development process.
Who is this static code analysis and PMD course for
Developers
This course is designed for Salesforce developers who want to improve the quality, consistency, and maintainability of their Apex code. Whether you’re writing new classes, reviewing pull requests, or managing a growing codebase, static code analysis is a valuable tool in your DevOps workflow.
If you’re working in a team or contributing to long-running Salesforce projects, this course will help you deliver secure code, prevent vulnerabilities, and collaborate more effectively.
What you’ll achieve with the static code analysis and PMD course
By the end of this course, you’ll understand how to use static code analysis to raise your code quality and make better technical decisions. You’ll know how to distinguish between types of analysis, choose the right rules for your team, and use PMD as part of your workflow — from writing code in your IDE to deploying into production. Most importantly, you’ll be able to put this knowledge into action to catch problems early and build clean code that’s easier to maintain.
What the static code analysis and PMD course includes
- A clear introduction to static code analysis and its role in Salesforce development.
- Guided explanations, opportunities to test your understanding, and support for applying your learning in a live Salesforce instance.
- Lifetime access to the content, so you can revisit it whenever you need a refresher.
- A shareable certificate to demonstrate your skills.
Static code analysis and PMD course content
An introduction to Salesforce code quality
Start by understanding what code quality means, why it matters in Salesforce development, and how it impacts maintainability, performance, and security. You’ll learn how unit testing and regression testing contribute to quality — and how static code analysis adds another critical layer.
How Salesforce static code analysis works
Dive into the fundamentals of static code analysis, how it differs from other testing strategies, and what kinds of code issues it helps detect. You’ll explore common rules used in code analyzers, including those that catch empty catch blocks, and flag inconsistencies in how your source code is structured. You’ll also see how static analysis tools highlight patterns that could introduce vulnerabilities, such as SQL injection or cross site scripting, helping you write more secure code. Consistent metadata and naming conventions are key to sustainable development. That’s why your team should align on a static code analysis ruleset early — without it, automated code analysis can become more noise than insight.
Choosing the right ruleset and static code analysis tools
Find out how to build a static code analysis ruleset that works for your team — cutting through noise, focusing on what matters, and making analysis useful. You’ll learn how to balance strictness with practicality, customize PMD rules, and adapt your approach as your team evolves.
Static code analysis in your DevOps workflow
Discover where and how to run static code analysis across your development cycle — from writing code in the IDE, to deployments, code reviews, CI/CD pipelines, and ongoing monitoring. You’ll learn how automated code analysis helps ensure security, maintain system stability, and deliver value to your customers faster by reducing the number of issues that make it to production.
Other DevOps Launchpad courses you might be interested in
FAQs
What is DevOps Launchpad?
DevOps Launchpad is a free training platform packed with courses and resources for anyone in the Salesforce ecosystem looking to upskill in Salesforce DevOps.
The certifications, courses, and quizzes on DevOps Launchpad are curated by experts in the field from Gearset, the leading DevOps platform for Salesforce. But the majority of content on DevOps Launchpad is all vendor-neutral, and useful for anyone learning more about Salesforce DevOps.
Who is DevOps Launchpad for?
Anyone involved in any aspect of the build, test and release cycle for Salesforce – it doesn’t matter if you’re brand new to the ecosystem or more experienced in Salesforce development.
Our courses are designed to upskill everyone in DevOps, regardless of role. Whether you’re an admin, a developer, an ISV partner or a technical architect, there’s something here for you.
How do I complete courses and get certificates?
DevOps Launchpad courses are broken down into modules. To finish a module, you usually complete a quiz to test your knowledge with multiple-choice questions. Once you finish all the modules in a course, you’ll earn a certificate which can be downloaded and saved to your resume, or shared on your social profiles.
How do I navigate the platform?
Click the Courses tab to see the courses and certification tracks that you’ve enrolled for. This page will be blank until you choose courses in the library. If you want to return to a course in progress or one that you’ve previously completed, head to this page.
The Results tab shows your progress through the courses you’ve completed, including any certifications and test results. It’s a great way to track your learning journey and see the skills you’re building.
The Library is where you can browse courses and enrol to continue building your skillset. Once you enrol for a course, it’ll be added to your courses page and you can start working through it.
How do I access my account?
You can access DevOps Launchpad in different ways:
- The DevOps Launchpad homepage
- Direct login
- For Gearset users: click the DevOps Launchpad icon in the Gearset app
Do I have to complete the static code analysis and PMD course all in one go?
No, you can take modules and courses in your own time. Your progress will be saved, so you can come back whenever suits your schedule!
Do I get a certificate for the static code analysis and PMD course?
You will receive a certificate for each course that you complete. After you have completed all the courses and the final assessment, you will be awarded the official final certification.