13.7 Additional REST Data Source Features

REST Data Sources can cache responses, synchronize reference data, add computed columns, apply declarative filtering and sorting, combine local and remote data, and support custom adapter plug-ins.

Any of your REST Data Sources can take advantage of several additional features:

• To improve performance, cache query responses in various ways in the server.
• To speed up lookups for remote reference data, synchronize it to a local cache table.
• To enrich remote data, add computed columns that reference other ones.
• To add default filtering or sorting, use declarative syntax where available
• To combine local and remote data, and filter, sort, or aggregate it, explore local post-processing.

Finally, if you work with REST APIs that follow a set of conventions APEX doesn't support natively, you can create a custom plug-in to add a new REST Data Source type that lets your teammates automatically benefit from all the declarative smarts you build into it.

• Caching a GET Operation's Response
  To improve performance and reduce unnecessary HTTP calls, you can enable server-side caching for selected REST Data Source GET operations.
• Synchronizing Data Locally
  Use local data synchronization to cache less-frequently changing REST Data Source data for faster List of Values, lookup, and region access.
• Adding Computed Data Profile Columns
  Add computed columns to enrich response payload data, then use their values in regions, Lists of Values, or programmatic code.
• Configuring Default Filtering and Sorting
  Configure default filter and sort expressions wherever a REST Data Source type supports them.
• Filter, Sort, Join, or Aggregate Remote Data
  Complement APEX’s JSON row and column extraction with SQL to filter, sort, join, or aggregate remote REST API data as needed.
• Creating a Custom REST Source Plug-in
  If you work with REST APIs that follow a set of conventions APEX doesn't support natively, create a custom REST Data Source plug-in.