Salesforce packaging plays an important role in developing and deploying an app on the Salesforce platform. There are two main packages First Generation Managed Packaging (1GP) and Second Generation Managed Packaging (2GP) that have played a major role. They are a collection of codes, components, objects, fields, automation, and other resources that provide additional features and services within Salesforce. These packages are made available on the Salesforce AppExchange platform, and they can be used based on their necessity. However, it is necessary to look at the differences between these two packaging types for businesses aiming to leverage the Salesforce platform. 

In this blog, we are going to understand the difference between 1GP & 2GP Salesforce packaging and learn more about them. 

What Are First Generation Managed Packages?  

First Generation Managed Packages were the initial Salesforce packaging that was introduced for developers. These packages allowed Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and developers to create and bundle their Salesforce apps and distribute them via the AppExchange platform. 1GP packages provide the initial app distribution, versioning, and updates along with some key characteristics like: 

• Namespace and Version Control 

• Controlled Distribution 

• Dependency Management 

What Are Second Generation Managed Packages?

Second Generation Managed Packages (2GP) is a more modern and advanced form of Salesforce packaging. With 2GP, streamlined packaging processes, improved control over the development lifecycle, and enhanced flexibility for developers can be achieved. There are more great and noticeable features of 2GP like: 

• Source-Driven Development 

• Modular Packaging 

• No Org Dependency 

• Namespace Reusability 

• Enhanced Upgrade Process 

What is the Difference Between 1GP and 2GP? 

The introduction of Second-Generation Managed Packages (2GP) marked a significant shift from traditional First-Generation Managed Packages (1GP). However, they both serve the purpose of packaging and distributing apps or components made by individual developers for the Salesforce AppExchange platform. Moreover, the way they work and the tools available have evolved significantly, here are the differences between 1GP and 2GP Salesforce packaging. 

Development Model: Org-Based vs Source-Driven

1GP (Org-Based Development)

In 1GP Salesforce Packaging, the development is well coupled with an org. Developers must use a dedicated packaging org to create and manage the packages. This model ensures that changes and versions are often developed directly in the org. This makes it difficult to collaborate in large teams and track changes. 

2GP (Source-Driven Development) 

2GP has completely changed the development process by shifting to a source-driven model. With 2GP Salesforce packaging, development is tracked in a control system and this modern approach allows multiple developers to work collaboratively. This helps promote better code quality and easier tracking of changes and the development is no longer confined to a single org. This is a major advantage for teams working on complex projects. 

Namespace Reusability

1GP (Single Namespace)

In First Generation Managed Packaging, each package is tied to a specific namespace, and a developer is also restricted to one namespace per org. This limitation can become a problem, especially for developers creating multiple packages or apps. Once a namespace is assigned it cannot be reused for another package. 

2GP (Namespace Reusability) 

Second Generation Managed Packages are way more flexible with namespaces and developers can also reuse them across different packages. This gives them greater control and freedom while creating multiple applications. This flexibility is helpful for developers or ISVs who need to maintain multiple packages but want to keep branding consistent. 

Version Control and Source Tracking

1GP (Limited Version Control)

In 1GP Salesforce packaging, version control is not integrated with modern development tools. Salesforce developers rely on the packaging org to create new versions and manage updates. This limits the ability to easily move back or track changes and it can also lead to difficulties when multiple developers are working on the same process. 

2GP (Integrated with Version Control)

Second Generation Managed Packages integrates with version control tools which allows developers to manage their code in a collaborative environment. They can easily create, track, and manage versions more efficiently, ensuring that everyone is on the same page. Version control also allows for clear changes to improve debugging and maintenance. 

Packaging Org Requirement

1GP (Requires a Dedicated Packaging Org)

A major limitation of First Generation Managed Packages is the requirement for a dedicated org. This means that the developers must work within a specific Salesforce org to manage and build their packages. This acts as a centralized hub for package creation, making to harder to automate processes or create seamless and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD). 

2GP (No Packaging Org Required)

For 2GP Salesforce packaging it is not necessary to have an org. Instead, developers can manage their packages directly through the Salesforce CLI (Command Line Interface) and source control. It can also improve the flexibility and speed of development by removing the org dependency. With 2GP Salesforce packing it is easier to adopt modern development workflows, including automated testing and deployment. 

Modular Packaging and Dependency Management

1GP (Monolithic Packages) 

In 1GP, packages tend to be more rigid and are bundled together with all the components including code, metadata, etc. Managing dependencies between packages can be more complex especially if packages are larger. 

2GP (Modular and Flexible)

2GP Salesforce Packaging encourages developers to break their applications into smaller ones. This allows better dependency management and greater flexibility when updating specific parts of an application. Developers can easily release smaller and more focused packages to reduce the overall complexity of the deployment. 

Upgrade Process

1GP (Complex Upgrades) 

Updating a 1GP Salesforce Packaging can be a tedious and complex process. It requires careful planning to ensure compatibility with previous versions. Moreover, sometimes developers need to perform manual steps to ensure the upgrade goes smoothly. Also, the limitations of version control in 1GP can make it difficult to make changes if something goes wrong.  

2GP (Streamlined Upgrades) 

Second Generation Managed Packages simplifies the upgrading process. With source-driven development and version control, upgrading a package becomes easy to manage. Also, these upgrades can be applied to specific parts of the package without affecting the entire application and if something goes wrong it is easier to revert. 

Automation and CI/CD Support

1GP (Limited Automation) 

1GP Salesforce packaging, the org-based development has no support for automating build and deploy processes. Developers need to manually push updates which can slow down the release cycle. 

2GP (Supports Full Automation) 

2GP is designed with automation so that developers can fully automate their build, testing, and deployment processes using CI/CD pipelines. The Salesforce CLI allows seamless integration with automation tools, making 2GP Salesforce packing ideal for organizations who want to adopt DevOps. 

Which Should You Use: 1GP or 2GP?

While First Generation Managed Package s were great in their time, Second Generation Managed Packages are the future. They provide better tools for source control, continuous integration, and flexible deployment processes. 1GP Salesforce packaging is still in use but they are being phased out as 2GP is becoming a more efficient solution for organizations. 

Conclusion: 1GP vs 2GP – Which One to Choose? 

Second Generation Managed Packages (2GP) are better in terms of flexibility, scalability, and ease of development compared to First Generation Managed Packages (1GP). The source-driven model of 2GP is preferred for Salesforce projects because it supports modern development workflows. While 1GP is still in use, organizations looking to stay ahead should consider 2GP. It is more efficient in terms of upgrading processes, modular packaging, and overall features. If you are looking to integrate seamless solutions you should consult certified Salesforce service providers like AnavClouds Software Solutions. Book a demo now and learn more about Salesforce Packaging. 

 

FAQs 

What is 1GP in Salesforce Packaging?

First Generation Managed Packages (1GP) are the initial and original packaging methods used by Salesforce developers to create and deploy applications through Salesforce AppExchange. These packages require a dedicated org and are less flexible than 2GP. 

What is 2GP in Salesforce Packaging?

Second Generation Managed Packages (2GP) are a better version of 1GP Salesforce Packaging. They are a modern method that allows for source-driven deployment, enhanced version control, and greater flexibility without any dedicated org. 

Can you reuse namespaces in 2GP?

Yes, with 2GP Salesforce Packaging developers can reuse namespaces across different packages. It provides greater flexibility for managing multiple applications. 

How does 1GP differ from 2GP in version control? 

1GP packaging has limited version control, it relies on the packaging org. Whereas, 2GP integrates with modern version control tools, making it seamless to track changes and collaborate. 

Do you need a dedicated org to develop 2GP packages? 

No, 2GP doesn’t need to have a dedicated org, because it allows developers to manage their packages without it. This improves development speed and flexibility which is great for developers.