Unlocked packages in Salesforce represent a newer approach to organizing and deploying metadata and application artifacts within Salesforce environments. They are part of Salesforce’s shift towards modular development using the Salesforce DX (Developer Experience) tools. Here are some of the key benefits of adopting unlocked packages:
- Modular Development:
- Unlocked packages promote a modular development approach where different features or application components can be developed, maintained, and deployed independently.
- This makes the development process more organized and allows teams to adopt a microservices-like approach within Salesforce.
- Versioning:
- Each unlocked package can have its version, making it easy to track changes, roll back to previous versions, or manage dependencies.
- Versioning ensures backward compatibility and easier rollouts of new features or fixes.
- Simplified Metadata Deployment:
- Deployment is streamlined because unlocked packages only consist of the necessary metadata components.
- This reduces the chances of deploying unnecessary or conflicting configurations.
- Reusable Components:
- Teams can create reusable packages that can be deployed across multiple Salesforce orgs or projects.
- This is particularly beneficial for businesses with multiple Salesforce environments or those that want to distribute certain features across various orgs.
- Dependency Management:
- Unlocked packages allow for explicit dependency tracking. If one package relies on another, this dependency is clearly defined, making sure that the required components are present before a package is installed.
- Enhanced Collaboration:
- With a more modular approach, teams can work in parallel on different packages without much interference. This is especially beneficial for larger teams or multi-team projects.
- Incremental Upgrades:
- Instead of making broad changes to an entire org, you can roll out incremental upgrades or features using unlocked packages.
- This reduces the risk associated with deployments and makes it easier to test and validate changes.
- Better Org Maintenance:
- Over time, Salesforce orgs can become cluttered with unused metadata, configurations, or legacy components. Using unlocked packages, you can keep the org clean by uninstalling a package, effectively removing all its associated metadata.
- Improved CI/CD Integration:
- Salesforce DX, which promotes the use of unlocked packages, integrates well with modern Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) tools. This ensures that you can set up automated build, test, and deployment pipelines for your Salesforce code.
- Support for Modern Development Practices:
- With unlocked packages, Salesforce development aligns more with modern development best practices like source-driven development, version control, and modular architecture.
Unlocked packages in Salesforce offer a more structured, maintainable, and scalable approach to development and deployment. While it might take some time to adapt to this new model, especially if you’re transitioning from a classic org-centric model, the benefits in terms of flexibility, collaboration, and deployment safety are substantial.
Also see: Benefits of DX unlocked packages over traditional Salesforce development