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SQL vs SOQL for Salesforce: A Comprehensive Comparison

Posted on 2025-02-22 - 1:24 am by
SOQL vs SQL

Salesforce professionals often working with data come to understand SQL vs SOQL. While both are used to query data, they serve different distinct purposes. This blog will help you understand SQL (Structured Query Language) vs SOQL (Salesforce Object Query Language) in relation to Salesforce.

SQL: A universal query language used across various relational databases (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, Snowflake). SQL in this context of this article focuses on “data query language” which is intended to query data out of a database. Its important to note that SQL encapsulates creation and management of database objects and inserting, updating, and deleting records in a database.

SOQL: A Salesforce-specific data query language used only to retrieve records from Salesforce objects.

Key Differences for SQL vs SOQL

FeatureSQL (Standard Query Language)SOQL (Salesforce Object Query Language)
UsageQuery and manage relational database data.Query Salesforce objects.
DatabaseWorks with structured tables in databases like Snowflake, MySQL, etc.Works with Salesforce records stored in Objects (like tables).
JoinsSupports multiple table joins (INNER, LEFT, RIGHT, FULL).Supports only parent-to-child and child-to-parent relationships (limited JOINs).
AggregationUses GROUP BY, HAVING, and aggregate functions (SUM, AVG, COUNT).Uses GROUP BY and HAVING, but with limited aggregate functions.
FilteringUses WHERE with multiple conditions and operators (LIKE, IN, BETWEEN).Uses WHERE but does not support LIKE for wildcard searches.
OrderingORDER BY (Multiple fields with ASC/DESC).ORDER BY (Only one field allowed).
SubqueriesFully supports subqueries (SELECT ... FROM ... WHERE ...).Supports limited subqueries, mainly in WHERE clause.
DML (Data Manipulation Language)Can INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE records.SOQL only retrieves data. (For DML, use DML operations in Apex).
DDL (Data Definition Language)
Can CREATE, ALTER, DROP objects like databases, schemas and tables.		SOQL only retrieves data.
RelationshipsUses JOIN to retrieve related data from multiple tables.Uses dot notation (.) to retrieve related objects (parent-child).
PermissionsAccess control depends on database roles and privileges.Respects Salesforce security rules (sharing settings, profiles, FLS).

3. Example Queries

Basic SQL Query

SELECT first_name, last_name, email
FROM customers
WHERE city = 'San Francisco'
ORDER BY last_name;

Equivalent SOQL Query

SELECT FirstName, LastName, EmailFROM Contact
WHERE MailingCity = 'San Francisco'
ORDER BY LastName;

4. Joins vs. Relationships

SQL JOIN (Multiple Tables)

SELECT orders.order_id, customers.name
FROM orders
JOIN customers ON orders.customer_id = customers.customer_id;
  • SQL supports multiple joins between different tables.

SOQL Parent-Child Query (One Level)

SELECT Name, (SELECT Name FROM Opportunities)FROM Account;
  • SOQL only allows pre-defined relationships between Salesforce objects (e.g., Account → Opportunity).

When to Use SQL vs SOQL

ScenarioUse SQLUse SOQL
Querying Salesforce data inside Salesforce.❌✅
Querying data from an external database (e.g., Snowflake, MySQL).✅❌
Running complex joins across multiple objects.✅❌ (Limited to parent-child relationships).
Performing updates (UPDATE, DELETE, etc.).✅❌ (Use DML in Apex).
Filtering records using advanced conditions (LIKE, IN, BETWEEN).✅❌ (Limited in SOQL).
Reporting and exporting Salesforce data.✅ (via integrations)✅ (Direct SOQL queries).

SQL for Salesforce (Requires external Database)

  • Salesforce data can be exported to external databases and data warehouses like Snowflake (or other databases) using ETL tools like:
  • Once in Snowflake, SQL queries can be used for advanced analytics and reporting. Salesforce admins, developers and analysts benefit from learning SQL because it expands the ability to work with Salesforce data in other applciations including but not limited to Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Datawarehouses like Snowflake

Learn more about SOQL

Free Tutorial: Master SOQL for Salesforce

Learn more about SOQL

Learning Course: Learn SQL for Salesforce

Why taking a SQL Course still matters in a world with AI

Posted on 2024-08-25 - 11:03 pm by
SQL for Salesforce

This week, Salesforce Ben released new SQL course for Salesforce that aims to introduce a SQL learning path aimed at professionals who work in Salesforce. My goal for the course was to provide technical training from the perspective where data literacy and translating business questions is the driver to write SQL. In my course, I lean into LLMs, specifically ChatGPT, and even introduce how I use ChatGPT to assist debugging. A the end, anyone who takes the course will learn their way around Snowflake and have a lab built for funnel analytics.

Large Language Models (LLMs), are make it easier than ever to write SQL and Python. Some have made bold claims that learning how to code wont be necessary in the future. Despite advances in LLMs, SQL remains a vital skill in the data-driven world.

SQL Course for Salesforce
View Course

Writing SQL without LLM

  • Lots of time consumed troubleshooting and debugging SQL
  • Reverse engineering other’s SQL
  • Manually typing documentation
  • Understanding how functions work
  • Formatting data to use in expressions
  • Understanding data structure and meta data

Using LLMs while Writing SQL

  • Paste your code and the error and let LLMs point out syntax issues or how to correct errors
  • Break down and explain SQL structure and purpose
  • Auto-document SQL
  • Relate functions to your existing knowledge
  • Auto-prepare expressions with correct syntax
  • Explain meta data structure

What you get out of learning SQL course for Salesforce

1. General understanding – Fundamental SQL skills

AI tools like LLMs can write SQL queries, but without a solid grasp of SQL fundamentals, it’s challenging to evaluate or optimize those queries effectively. SQL is more than just a query language; it’s about understanding how data is structured, how relationships are built, and how to extract meaningful insights from databases. SQL gives you the foundation to translate questions into queries and ensures that you’re not just a passive consumer of AI-generated code.

2. Contextual Awareness

While LLMs are powerful, they might not fully grasp the nuances of your specific database environment or the business rules that govern your data. Learning SQL allows you to tailor queries to your unique context, ensuring the results are accurate and aligned with your business needs. This contextual understanding is something that AI, despite its advancements, can’t fully replicate.

3. Collaboration with Data Teams

SQL acts as a common language in the data world, bridging the gap between business professionals and technical teams. When you understand SQL, you can communicate more effectively with data engineers, analysts, and other stakeholders. Understanding the data structures needed for analytics also increases your awareness as you alter the Salesforce data model. At the end of the day, having SQL in your toolkit makes you a more valuable contributor.

4. Troubleshooting and Optimization

Even the best AI tools can generate inefficient queries that may impact system performance. By learning SQL, you gain the ability to troubleshoot, optimize, and refine these queries, ensuring they run efficiently and deliver the desired results.

5. Future-Proofing Your Career

SQL skills continue to be in high demand, with job opportunities in this field projected to grow significantly over the next decade. As DataCloud takes off, employers will value SQL proficiency, as it’s a core skill for data cloud related roles when you need to “bring your own data warehouse.”

More about SQL course for Salesforce

What You’ll Learn:

  • Data Query Language (DQL): Focus on querying and analyzing data.
  • Salesforce Integration: Learn how SQL concepts align with Salesforce SOQL.
  • Practical Skills: Hands-on exercises to build familiarity and proficiency.
View Course