# Dynamic Apex: describes, dynamic SOQL and Type

*Platform Developer II Study Guide · Process Automation, Logic, and Integration · Last updated October 16, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-developer-ii/process-automation-logic-and-integration/dynamic-apex-describes-dynamic-soql-and-type*

Pick the dynamic Apex feature a requirement needs: sObject tokens and describes, dynamic SOQL bind rules and Database.queryWithBinds, SOQL injection defences, dynamic DML with get, put and getSObject, Type.forName for plug-in classes, and dynamic SOSL.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform Developer II
- Exam section: Process Automation, Logic, and Integration
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-developer-ii

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a scenario and requirements, identify the appropriate dynamic Apex feature to use in the solution.

## What the exam expects

- Choose the dynamic Apex feature for a requirement whose object, field, class or filter is only known at run time.
- Get sObject tokens and describe results: from a record Id, from an object name in a variable, record type IDs by developer name, active picklist values.
- Write dynamic SOQL that compiles and runs: simple bind variables, `Database.queryWithBinds`, and injection-safe user input.
- Create and read records generically with `newSObject`, `get`, `put` and `getSObject`.
- Instantiate a class named in configuration with `Type.forName`, and read dynamic SOSL results.

Key terms: **token** (a lightweight, compile-time-validated reference to an sObject or field, such as `Account.SObjectType`), **describe result** (`DescribeSObjectResult` or `DescribeFieldResult`, the metadata behind a token), **dynamic SOQL/SOSL** (a query string built and run at run time), **dynamic DML** (creating and saving records of a type chosen at run time), **SOQL injection** (user input that changes a dynamic query's structure).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Record Id to object | `Id.getSObjectType()` returns the token; no query | [Id Class](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexref.meta/apexref/apex_methods_system_id.htm) |
| Object name to token | `Schema.getGlobalDescribe().get(name)`; keys are case-insensitive | [Accessing All sObjects](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_dynamic_global_describe.htm) |
| New record of run-time type | `token.newSObject()` | [Dynamic DML](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_dynamic_dml.htm) |
| Record type by developer name | `getRecordTypeInfosByDeveloperName()` | [DescribeSObjectResult Class](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexref.meta/apexref/apex_methods_system_sobject_describe.htm) |
| Picklist values | `getPicklistValues()` returns active entries only | [DescribeFieldResult Class](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexref.meta/apexref/apex_methods_system_fields_describe.htm) |
| Bind field in Database.query | Not supported: "Variable does not exist" | [Dynamic SOQL](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_dynamic_soql.htm) |
| Database.queryWithBinds | API 57.0+; binds from a map; access level argument | [Dynamic SOQL](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_dynamic_soql.htm) |
| escapeSingleQuotes | Adds `\` before each single quote in user input | [SOQL Injection](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/pages_security_tips_soql_injection.htm) |
| Parent via lookup | `getSObject('Account')`; `get()` reads fields on the record itself | [Dynamic DML](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_dynamic_dml.htm) |
| Type.forName from a package | Use `forName('', name)` for a subscriber class in a no-namespace org | [Type Class](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexref.meta/apexref/apex_methods_system_type.htm) |
| Dynamic SOSL results | One list per object, in RETURNING order | [Dynamic SOSL](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_dynamic_sosl.htm) |

## Check yourself

- Why does `:filter.Priority__c` fail in `Database.query` when it works in inline SOQL?
- When should code compare tokens instead of querying to learn a record's object?
- Why must a managed package pass an empty namespace to `Type.forName` for a subscriber class?
- What does `results[0]` hold after `Search.query` with `RETURNING Account(Id), Contact(Id)`?

## Sources

- [Dynamic Apex](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_dynamic.htm)
- [Dynamic SOQL](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_dynamic_soql.htm)
- [Dynamic DML](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_dynamic_dml.htm)
- [Understanding Apex Describe Information](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_dynamic_describe_objects_understanding.htm)
- [Accessing All sObjects](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_dynamic_global_describe.htm)
- [Dynamic SOSL](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_dynamic_sosl.htm)
- [SOQL Injection](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/pages_security_tips_soql_injection.htm)
- [Type Class](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexref.meta/apexref/apex_methods_system_type.htm)
- [Id Class](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexref.meta/apexref/apex_methods_system_id.htm)
- [DescribeSObjectResult Class](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexref.meta/apexref/apex_methods_system_sobject_describe.htm)
- [DescribeFieldResult Class](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexref.meta/apexref/apex_methods_system_fields_describe.htm)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 8 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform Developer II pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams