What is the primary use of Salesforce Custom Metadata Types?

The primary use of Salesforce Custom Metadata Types is to define application configurations and logic without hardcoding values. This feature allows developers and administrators to create custom data structures that can be used to store configuration settings that can be utilized by various parts of the application.

By using Custom Metadata Types, users can set up configuration data that can be referenced in Apex code, formulas, and other tools across the Salesforce platform. This is particularly useful for maintaining flexibility and adaptability in applications, as values can be modified through the application interface without needing to alter the code, which contributes to maintaining best practices for software development.

This approach streamlines the process of managing dependencies and enables a more agile development process where configuration can be adjusted based on differing environments or business requirements without needing to deploy new code. It ultimately supports the dynamic nature of cloud applications by facilitating easier updates and customization.