- Can I use AEConnect with Laravel 9+ without Symfony? If so, how?
- AEConnect is Symfony-centric, but you can integrate it into Laravel by creating a custom Service Provider to expose its services. Use the `symfony/var-dumper` bridge or wrap bundle functionality in Laravel facades. For Eloquent apps, consider `eloquent-doctrine` to bridge entities. Expect additional abstraction work for full compatibility.
- Does AEConnect support modern Salesforce authentication like OAuth 2.0 or JWT Bearer Tokens?
- Yes, AEConnect leverages the Salesforce REST SDK, which supports OAuth 2.0 and JWT Bearer Tokens. Configuration is handled via runtime credentials or stored connections. Check the [Advanced Connection Strategies](https://github.com/advisors-excel-llc/AEConnect/blob/master/Resources/docs/config/advanced_connections.md) docs for setup details.
- What’s the best alternative if I’m using pure Laravel/Eloquent and don’t want Symfony dependencies?
- For pure Laravel, consider using the native HTTP client (Guzzle) with the Salesforce REST API directly. Packages like `spatie/laravel-salesforce` or `guzzlehttp/guzzle` offer simpler integration without Symfony overhead. AEConnect’s transformer/validation layer may not justify the complexity for lightweight use cases.
- How do I handle bulk synchronization in Laravel without PCNTL (e.g., on shared hosting)?
- AEConnect relies on PCNTL for parallel processing, but you can replace it with `spatie/async` or Laravel Queues for bulk operations. Configure Enqueue (AMQP) as the queue driver and process syncs asynchronously. This avoids PCNTL dependencies while maintaining performance for large datasets.
- Is AEConnect compatible with Laravel’s Eloquent ORM, or do I need Doctrine?
- AEConnect is designed for Doctrine ORM, so Eloquent apps will require a bridge like `eloquent-doctrine` to map entities. If you’re already using Doctrine (e.g., via `illuminate/database` + Doctrine DBAL), integration is straightforward. Pure Eloquent projects may need custom adapters for entity mapping.
- Does AEConnect support Salesforce’s Bulk API 2.0 or Composite API for large datasets?
- AEConnect uses the Salesforce REST SDK, which supports Bulk API 2.0 and Composite API for optimized large-scale operations. Bulk synchronization is configurable via the bundle’s docs, but ensure your SDK version aligns with Salesforce’s latest API recommendations. Check the [Bulk Synchronization](https://github.com/advisors-excel-llc/AEConnect/blob/master/Resources/docs/bulk/README.md) guide for setup.
- How do I configure entity mapping between Laravel models and Salesforce objects?
- Entity mapping is defined in YAML/XML config files under `Resources/config/entity_mapping.md`. Specify field mappings, data types, and validation rules for inbound/outbound syncs. The bundle provides transformers to reshape payloads during sync. Example configs are in the [Entity Mapping docs](https://github.com/advisors-excel-llc/AEConnect/blob/master/Resources/docs/config/entity_mapping.md).
- Can I use AEConnect in serverless environments like AWS Lambda or Laravel Vapor?
- AEConnect’s Symfony bundle and PCNTL dependency make it unsuitable for serverless by default. Replace PCNTL with `spatie/async` and run syncs as cron jobs or scheduled tasks. Avoid long-running processes in serverless; instead, use event-driven workflows (e.g., queue workers triggered by webhooks).
- What’s the maintenance status of AEConnect? Is the Salesforce REST SDK up-to-date?
- AEConnect’s last release was in 2020, and the underlying Salesforce REST SDK may lag behind modern API versions. Test thoroughly for compatibility with your Salesforce org’s API. Consider wrapping SDK calls in a facade to isolate updates. For critical projects, evaluate alternatives like `spatie/laravel-salesforce` for active maintenance.
- How do I debug or test AEConnect syncs in a Laravel environment?
- AEConnect provides CLI commands for debugging (see [Commands docs](https://github.com/advisors-excel-llc/AEConnect/blob/master/Resources/docs/commands/README.md)). In Laravel, create an Artisan command to trigger syncs and log output. Use `symfony/var-dumper` for debugging bundle internals. For testing, mock the Salesforce SDK and validate transformers/validation rules in PHPUnit.