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  7. Understanding Boolean Values in Apex

      Understanding Boolean Values in Apex

      Have you ever answered a Yes/No question? That's exactly what Boolean values are in computer programming! In Apex (Salesforce's programming language), Boolean values are simply true or false - nothing else.

      Think of Boolean values like light switches - they're either ON (true) or OFF (false).

      What Are Boolean Values Used For?

      Booleans help your program make decisions, just like how you decide things in everyday life:

      • Is it raining outside? Yes (true) or No (false)
      • Is the store open? Yes (true) or No (false)
      • Do I have enough money? Yes (true) or No (false)

      Creating Boolean Variables

      To create a Boolean in Apex, you use the word Boolean followed by a name, then assign it either true or false:

      // Creating a Boolean that is true
Boolean isRaining = true;

// Creating a Boolean that is false
Boolean isStoreOpen = false;

// You can also declare first, then assign later
Boolean doIHaveEnoughMoney;
doIHaveEnoughMoney = true;

      Changing Boolean Values

      You can change a Boolean's value anytime in your code:

      // Start with the store being closed
Boolean isStoreOpen = false;

// Later in your code, the store opens
isStoreOpen = true;

// Later still, the store closes
isStoreOpen = false;

      Simple Comparisons

      Booleans are often created by comparing things:

      // Is 5 greater than 3?
Boolean isFiveGreaterThanThree = (5 > 3); // This will be true

// Are these two names the same?
Boolean areNamesEqual = ('John' == 'John'); // This will be true

// Is 10 less than 7?
Boolean isTenLessThanSeven = (10 < 7); // This will be false

      Using AND, OR, and NOT

      You can combine or flip Boolean values:

      // AND (&&): Both sides must be true for the result to be true
Boolean hasUmbrella = true;
Boolean isRaining = true;
Boolean shouldUseUmbrella = hasUmbrella && isRaining; // true because both are true

// OR (||): At least one side must be true for the result to be true
Boolean hasCar = false;
Boolean hasBusPass = true;
Boolean canGetToWork = hasCar || hasBusPass; // true because at least one is true

// NOT (!): Flips true to false, or false to true
Boolean isWeekend = false;
Boolean needToWork = !isWeekend; // true because isWeekend is false

      Making Decisions with Booleans

      Booleans control which parts of your code run:

      Boolean isCustomerPremium = true;

// This is called an "if statement"
if (isCustomerPremium) {
    // This code only runs if isCustomerPremium is true
    System.debug('Welcome premium customer!');
} else {
    // This code only runs if isCustomerPremium is false
    System.debug('Welcome regular customer!');
}

      Converting Between Booleans and Text

      Sometimes you need to convert between Boolean values and text:

      // Converting text to Boolean
Boolean b1 = Boolean.valueOf('true'); // Becomes true
Boolean b2 = Boolean.valueOf('false'); // Becomes false
Boolean b3 = Boolean.valueOf('anything else'); // Becomes false

// Converting Boolean to text
String s1 = String.valueOf(true); // Becomes 'true'
String s2 = String.valueOf(false); // Becomes 'false'

      Real-World Examples

      Here are some ways Booleans are used in Salesforce:

      // Setting a checkbox field on a Contact
contact.DoNotCall = true; // Do not call this customer
update contact;

// Checking if a user has permission to do something
Boolean canUserEditRecords = UserInfo.isCurrentUserLicensed('PermissionName');

// Validating if required fields are filled in
Boolean isFormComplete = (firstName != null && lastName != null);

      Remember

      • Booleans can only be true or false
      • They're perfect for yes/no situations
      • Use meaningful names so it's clear what your Boolean represents
      • Booleans help your program make decisions

      Now that you understand Boolean values, you'll see them everywhere in programming!

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      // AND (&&): Both sides must be true for the result to be true
Boolean hasUmbrella = true;
Boolean isRaining = true;
Boolean shouldUseUmbrella = hasUmbrella && isRaining; // true because both are true

// OR (||): At least one side must be true for the result to be true
Boolean hasCar = false;
Boolean hasBusPass = true;
Boolean canGetToWork = hasCar || hasBusPass; // true because at least one is true

// NOT (!): Flips true to false, or false to true
Boolean isWeekend = false;
Boolean needToWork = !isWeekend; // true because isWeekend is false

      // Converting text to Boolean
Boolean b1 = Boolean.valueOf('true'); // Becomes true
Boolean b2 = Boolean.valueOf('false'); // Becomes false
Boolean b3 = Boolean.valueOf('anything else'); // Becomes false

// Converting Boolean to text
String s1 = String.valueOf(true); // Becomes 'true'
String s2 = String.valueOf(false); // Becomes 'false'

      // Setting a checkbox field on a Contact
contact.DoNotCall = true; // Do not call this customer
update contact;

// Checking if a user has permission to do something
Boolean canUserEditRecords = UserInfo.isCurrentUserLicensed('PermissionName');

// Validating if required fields are filled in
Boolean isFormComplete = (firstName != null && lastName != null);