Apex is a proprietary, strongly typed, object-oriented programming language developed by Salesforce. It enables developers to execute flow and transaction control statements on the Salesforce platform's servers, facilitating the creation of custom business logic and automation within Salesforce applications.

Key Uses of Apex:

- Custom Business Logic: Developers can write Apex code to implement complex business rules and processes that go beyond Salesforce's standard features.

- Triggers: Apex allows the creation of triggers that automatically execute in response to specific events, such as record insertions, updates, or deletions.

- Visualforce Controllers: Apex is used to build custom controllers and extensions for Visualforce pages, enabling the development of customized user interfaces.

- Batch Processes: Apex supports the development of batch processes to handle large volumes of data efficiently, ensuring that operations can be performed asynchronously without impacting system performance.

- Web Services: Apex can be used to create custom web services, allowing Salesforce to integrate with external systems and services.

By leveraging Apex, organizations can tailor Salesforce to meet their unique business requirements, enhancing productivity and ensuring that the platform aligns with specific operational needs.

For a visual overview and further explanation, you might find the following video helpful: