Working with the Force.com Bulk API

The Force.com Bulk API allows the import or export of large quantities of records, split into units of work called batches. Up to 20 million records per 24-hour period can be imported into Force.com. Both REST and SOAP versions of the API are provided.

This section focuses on hands-on examples with the REST flavor of the Bulk API. The examples require a tool named cURL, available free for every platform at http://curl.haxx.se.

This section provides an introduction to Force.com Bulk API in three parts, described here:

1. Overview—Get to know the terminology and workflow of the Bulk API, and prepare to use it by authenticating using OAuth.

2. Importing records—Walk through API usage examples of creating a job to import records and verify its successful completion.

3. Exporting records—In a series of API calls, submit a SOQL query for a bulk export and retrieve the results.