Apex:Actionfunction In The Salesforce VisualForce Page

JavaScript is the dynamic scripting language that performs actions on the client side. With the help of JS, it is possible reducing traffic on the web server. There are two popular Apex functions the Salesforce - and that are used in a Visualforce page to execute different JavaScript tasks. Our main focus is to discuss in this blog that provides support to invoke controller action methods directly from the JS code using an AJAX request. In case, you are actively looking for a potential career in Salesforce professional, consider enrolling in a professional Online Salesforce Training course.

An must be the subset or child of component as binding between the caller and the apex function is done based on the order of parameters and makes sure that the order of parameters matches completely with the arguments list of the caller. An defines the new JavaScript function that can be called within a block of JS code. At the same time, one more popular method only provides support for invoking controller action methods.

Based on the API version 23, it is not possible using within an iteration component. The best idea is to put this Apex function after the iteration component and put a simple JavaScript code within an iteration component.

Before we move to the apex attributes, if you are seriously planning to begin your career in Salesforce should think about going for a Salesforce Cloud Course to land their career on the right path.

It is possible creating Visualforce pages by invoking controller methods using AJAX requests. There is the case you want to use AJAX in the Visualforce page so that a particular part of the page can be refreshed and performs specified actions when the user clicks on a button. We can use multiple action tags in this case that are supported by the AJAX request. 

This action tag must be called from the client-side event or from a custom JavaScript function. It generally behaves like any other JavaScript function that has the capability to communicate with server methods using the “action” attribute. Keep in mind that action attribute is optional here that should be used when required. This action tag can also refresh the VF function on the client-side event using the reRender attribute. 

This action tag adds AJAX support to another Visualforce component and then call the controller method. For example, we wanted to implement the search functionality where we need instant results for each keyword that matches the content. Here, we need to add AJAX support to the InputText that calls a function and returns the needed result.

This action tag acts as the timer on the Visualforce page. It is used to send the AJAX request to the server depending on the time interval. In case, the time span is not specified then it is taken 60 seconds by default. 

For example, we want to update the account list in every 5 seconds. It will show every new account on the Visualforce page as soon as added. It is clear from the discussion that this action tag is used for the component that we want to refresh in every few seconds. If you don’t want to refresh the component frequently then you should use in this case.

These were the tags required in Salesforce. Now, we will go through the process of passing parameters between Apex and Visualforce. 

Tip: The top customer relationship management (CRM) platform in the world is Salesforce. Take this free, 2-minute Salesforce quiz to see how much you know about the platform and to keep up with new developments.

When the user clicks a link, we want to pass the ID to the Apex method. The APEX method then returns to us a URL string. We open a new window here that loads that needed URL. We can call parameters and variables from Visualforce pages but passing parameters or variables to and forth between Apex methods and Visualforce is not intuitive. However, it is impossible passing parameters from a Visualforce page to the Apex method directly.

• Not Supported: It is possible calling Apex method from a Visualforce page directly if parameters are required.
• Supported: It is possible calling Apex method from a Visualforce page if there are no parameters.

So, how to pass the ID parameter to the Apex method from the Visualforce page. Well, Apex class is the solution here that help to initialize variables outside the method since parameters cannot be passed from Visualforce page directly. We need to declare actionFunction here that works similar to the Apex method. When you call this action tag, you are free to add multiple parameters between Apex and Visualforce methods here. 

Also, consider joining the JanBask Salesforce community to keep yourself updated with the latest Salesforce trends and career opportunities. 

With this discussion, you must be sure of what is Apex:actionFunction method and how it helps in multiple ways to invoke controller methods using different action control attributes. There are more similar methods too that are also discussed in brief because the main objective of this blog is to discuss the concept of Apex:actionFunction in detail. To know more about tough Apex methods and controllers, join the Salesforce certification program and learn to use different control tags practically with the right experts’ assistance.