Architect Core Resources
Architect Core Resource Library
The Architect Core Resource Library is a set of resources covering all the fundamental aspects of the Force.com platform. These resources serve two audiences: those who want to understand how the Force.com platform and architecture can be used to fit into and extend their existing infrastructure and security frameworks, and those who want to understand how to architect applications on Force.com for commercial purposes.
The first set of resources, Architecting on Force.com, is applicable to both of these audiences. The second, Architecting for Commercial Applications, is applicable to ISVs and others looking to build commercial applications. For an understanding of the Force.com platform, read the Developer Core Resources.
The content on this page is continually being refined and extended—check back soon for new resources.
Architecting on Force.com
The following resources examine architecting on Force.com.
Overview
This white paper provides an in-depth technical overview of the Force.com platform and its constituent parts.
Database
Determining where your data is stored, and how it is distributed across your applications and backends is a key architectural detail:
Integration
There are many ways to integrate with the platform, including the Web Services API, outbound messages, email and HTTP/REST calls.
Security
Force.com provides a number of security features, from infrastructure security through network, SSO, authentication and data sharing.
Environments
Applications are built, and delivered, in online environments. Some environments have different capabilities than others. These article provides a rundown of the various environments available, and how and when to use them.
Architecting for Commercial Applications
If you're going to build a commercial application, then there are additional considerations to be aware of - in particular those of packaging, licensing and distribution.
Background
Force.com's foundation is a metadata-driven software architecture that enables multitenant applications. Learn how this makes the platform fast, scalable, and secure.