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!

What Are Boolean Values Used For?

Creating Boolean Variables

Changing Boolean Values

Simple Comparisons

Using AND, OR, and NOT

Making Decisions with Booleans

Converting Between Booleans and Text

Real-World Examples

Remember

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