* urpose of Metadata API:
* The Metadata API is specifically designed to manage customization and configuration data in Salesforce. It allows users to deploy, retrieve, create, update, or delete customization information such as custom object definitions, page layouts, and more.
* Use in MuleSoft:
* When using the Mule Salesforce connector in a Mule application, invoking the Metadata API enables you to programmatically manage and deploy Salesforce metadata. This is essential for tasks such as deploying new custom objects, updating existing configurations, or deleting obsolete customizations.
* Why Not Other APIs:
* REST API: Primarily used for accessing Salesforce data and interacting with standard and custom objects.
* SOAP API: Similar to REST API but uses SOAP protocol; also mainly for data access and manipulation.
* Bulk API: Designed for handling large volumes of data for insert, update, delete operations but not for metadata management.
References:
* Salesforce Metadata API Overview: Salesforce Metadata API
* MuleSoft Documentation on Salesforce Connector