1. A system for generating database records via a publisher configurable to share feed items to a feed of a social networking system, the system comprising: a database system implemented using a server system, the database system configurable to cause: displaying, in a user interface on a display of a device of a user of the social networking system, a publisher configurable to share feed items to a feed of a social networking system, the publisher comprising: an input area capable of receiving text, a first selection operable to cause the text to be shared in the feed as a feed item, and a custom action operable to cause database records to be generated in accordance with custom action instructions, the custom action instructions being definable and configurable only by authorized users of the social networking system; processing a request, received via the custom action from the user, to generate a first database record for storage in a database of the database system; automatically generating, in accordance with the request, the first database record for storage in the database of the database system; and automatically generating and sharing, responsive to generating the first database record, a first feed item in the feed, the first feed item indicating that the first database record has been generated.