What must be considered when inserting records using an API-based tool?

When inserting records using an API-based tool, it is essential to consider that required fields are always enforced. This means that when a record is created or updated through an API, Salesforce verifies that all mandatory fields are populated with valid values before the operation is successful. If any required fields are missing, the API request will fail, ensuring data integrity and adherence to the defined structure of the Salesforce objects.

This enforcement is critical as it prevents incomplete records from being saved in the database, which helps maintain data quality. Ensuring that required fields are populated is part of the robust design of Salesforce's data model, as it allows for necessary information to be available for business processes, reporting, and analytics.

In contrast, other considerations that could arise, such as data loss or ignoring validation rules, are not typical behaviors of the Salesforce API. Apex triggers are typically respected during API operations, ensuring the business logic is engaged upon record manipulation. Hence, the emphasis on the enforcement of required fields stands out as a crucial factor when using API-based tools to insert records in Salesforce.