What is the first step involved in the OAuth 2.0 process?

The first step in the OAuth 2.0 process involves the user logging in through Salesforce.com. This step is crucial because it establishes the identity of the user and initiates the authorization flow. When a user attempts to access a resource through an application, the application directs the user to the Salesforce login page. The user's credentials are authenticated by Salesforce, which is essential for determining the permissions and scopes granted to the application.

Once the user successfully logs in, they are prompted to give consent for the application to access their information, leading to the next steps in the OAuth process. The user's validation and consent are foundational to ensuring secure access to the protected resources, making this initial login step vital.

In contrast, the other options relate to subsequent stages in the OAuth flow. After the user logs in, they may approve the access request, and only then does the application request an access token. Finally, Salesforce would grant the access token based on the successful completion of those prior steps. Understanding this sequence is key for implementing secure data access in an application.