What happens to Salesforce fields when they are deleted without version control?

When fields are deleted in Salesforce without utilizing version control, they are permanently removed from the system. This deletion means that the fields will no longer be available in any layouts, profiles, or permission sets that previously utilized them. Essentially, the field's removal impacts not only the data contained within it but also how that data was accessed or displayed in user interfaces and proper permissions.

Profiles and layouts are particularly significant since they dictate what users can view and interact with. If a field is deleted, any reference to that field in these profiles and layouts will result in errors or blank spaces where that data would have been displayed. Since the functionality of the application heavily relies on these elements being in sync with the available fields, their deletion entirely disrupts this harmony.

Understanding this dynamic is essential for managing data effectively within Salesforce, as any actions taken without version control can lead to unintended consequences and a loss of data integrity. In contrast, the other options present scenarios that do not accurately reflect the behavior of Salesforce when fields are deleted.