7/17/2014 Apex Class Definition

http://www.salesforce.com/us/developer/docs/apexcode/Content/apex_classes_defining.htm 1/2
Open topic with navigation
Apex Class Definition
In Apex, you can define top-level classes (also called outer classes) as well as inner classes, that is, a class defined within
another class. You can only have inner classes one level deep. For example:
To define a class, specify the following:
1. Access modifiers:
You must use one of the access modifiers (such as public or global) in the declaration of a top-level class.
You do not have to use an access modifier in the declaration of an inner class.
2. Optional definition modifiers (such as virtual, abstract, and so on)
3. Required: The keyword class followed by the name of the class
4. Optional extensions and/or implementations
Note
Avoid using standard object names for class names. Doing so causes unexpected results. For a list of
standard objects, see Object Reference for Salesforce and Force.com.
Use the following syntax for defining classes:
The private access modifier declares that this class is only known locally, that is, only by this section of code. This is
the default access for inner classesthat is, if you don't specify an access modifier for an inner class, it is considered
private. This keyword can only be used with inner classes.
The public access modifier declares that this class is visible in your application or namespace.
The global access modifier declares that this class is known by all Apex code everywhere. All classes that contain
methods defined with the webService keyword must be declared as global. If a method or inner class is declared
as global, the outer, top-level class must also be defined as global.
The with sharing and without sharing keywords specify the sharing mode for this class. For more information,
see Using the with sharing or without sharing Keywords.
The virtual definition modifier declares that this class allows extension and overrides. You cannot override a method
with the override keyword unless the class has been defined as virtual.
The abstract definition modifier declares that this class contains abstract methods, that is, methods that only have
their signature declared and no body defined.
public class myOuterClass {
// Additional myOuterClass code here
class myInnerClass {
// myInnerClass code here
}
}
private | public | global
[virtual | abstract | with sharing | without sharing | (none)]
class ClassName [implements InterfaceNameList | (none)] [extends ClassName | (none)]
{
// The body of the class
}
7/17/2014 Apex Class Definition
http://www.salesforce.com/us/developer/docs/apexcode/Content/apex_classes_defining.htm 2/2
Note
You cannot add an abstract method to a global class after the class has been uploaded in a Managed -
Released package version.
If the class in the Managed - Released package is virtual, the method that you can add to it must also be
virtual and must have an implementation.
You cannot override a public or protected virtual method of a global class of an installed managed
package.
For more information about managed packages, see What is a Package?.
A class can implement multiple interfaces, but only extend one existing class. This restriction means that Apex does not
support multiple inheritance. The interface names in the list are separated by commas. For more information about interfaces,
see Understanding Interfaces.
For more information about method and variable access modifiers, see Access Modifiers.
Was this information helpful?
Yes: Tell us what you liked.
Yes, except: Report typos, errors, and inaccuracies.
No: Tell us what we can do better.
Copyright 20002014 salesforce.com, inc. All rights reserved.
Various trademarks held by their respective owners.