What is the Difference between database.query() and database.getQueryLocator() in Salesforce?

Hi Vikas,

database.query in Salesforce allows you to make a dynamic SOQL query at runtime. You can build up a string and then use that as a query string at run time in the database.query statement to make a SOQL call that is determined at run time. In Batch Apex, if you use Database.query(), it supports 50,000 records only.

database.getQueryLocator in Salesforce returns a Query Locator that runs your selected SOQL query returning list that can be iterated over in batch apex or used for displaying large sets in VF (allowing things such as pagination). In Batch Apex, if you use Database.getQueryLocator(), it supports upto 50 million records.

Hope this helps you.

Thanks

Hi,

1. Database.query() retrives 50K records where as Database.getQueryLocator() retrives 50 million records from Database.
2. Database.query() is used to construct dynamic query instead of using SOQL query where as Database.getQueryLocator() is the return type of start method of a Batch class.

Hope this helps!