What is Database.Stateful used for in batch class in Salesforce?

Hi Aditya,

You will need Database.Stateful is when the execute method modifies a class variable in such a way that it is to be used across multiple execute methods or in the finish method. The majority of batches you will write will not need Database.Stateful. It's important to know that using Database.Stateful will harm your batch's performance, because the class will be serialized at the end of each execute method to update its internal state. This extra serialization results in longer execution time.

If you're ever not sure if you need it, simply ask yourself two questions:

1 "Does one execute method need data from a previous execute method?"

2  "Does the finish method need data from any previous execute method?"

If the answer to both of these questions is no, then you do not need Database.Stateful.

If the answer is yes, then you may want to use Database.Stateful.

Fact is that there are alternative means to using Database.Stateful, such as storing data in a Custom Setting, which may offer better performance in some cases.