What is DML?

DML statements modify Salesforce data.

Common DML operations:
● insert
● update
● delete
● upsert
● undelete

Each operation runs inside a transaction.

Insert Records

Example - Create a New Account

Input

Account Name = 'MSD Automations'

Code:

Account acc = new Account();
acc.Name = 'MSD Automations';

insert acc;
System.debug(acc.Id);

Output:

001XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Explanation

● Record inserted into Salesforce
● Id generated automatically

Update Records

Example - Update Account Name

Input

Existing Account Id = 001XXX

Code:

Account acc = [SELECT Id, Name FROM Account LIMIT 1];
acc.Name = 'MSD Automations Pvt Ltd';

update acc;

Output:

Account updated successfully

Explanation

● Record updated using Id reference

Delete Records

Example - Delete Account

Input

Account Id = 001XXX

Code:

Account acc = [SELECT Id FROM Account LIMIT 1];
delete acc;

Output:

Record moved to Recycle Bin

Undelete Records

Example - Restore Deleted Record

Input

Deleted Account in Recycle Bin

Code:

Account acc = [SELECT Id FROM Account WHERE IsDeleted = true LIMIT 1];
undelete acc;

Output:

Record restored

Unsert Records

Example - Insert or Update Using External Id

Input

External_Id__c = EXT-1001

Code:

Account acc = new Account();
acc.External_Id__c = 'EXT-1001';
acc.Name = 'New Customer';

upsert acc External_Id__c;

Output:

Record inserted or updated

Explanation

● If External Id exists → update

● If not → insert

Bulk DML Example

Example - Insert Multiple Accounts

Input

3 account names

Code:

List<Account> accounts = new List<Account>();

for(Integer i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
    accounts.add(new Account(Name = 'Account ' + i));
}

insert accounts;

Output:

3 records inserted

Database Methods (Partial Success)

Use Database class when you want partial success.

Example - Insert with Partial Success

Input

One valid record, one invalid record

Code:

List<Account> accounts = new List<Account>{
    new Account(Name = 'Valid Account'),
    new Account() // Invalid
};

Database.SaveResult[] results =
    Database.insert(accounts, false);

for(Database.SaveResult sr : results) {
    System.debug('Success: ' + sr.isSuccess());
}

Output:

true
false

Explanation

● false allows partial success

● Errors do not rollback entire transaction

Common Pitfalls

● DML inside loops

● Ignoring validation rules
● No error handling
● Hardcoded Id usage

Productivity Tips

● Always bulkify DML

● Use Database methods for partial success
● Log SaveResult errors
● Validate data before insert

Conclusion

You now understand:
● All major DML operations

● Bulk-safe patterns
● Partial success handling
● Real-world usage

Happy Coding! 🚀

Apex Beginner to Advance

DML Operations in Apex