What is the difference among global plugin vs scoped plugin vs scoped app?

[Deepthi]

There are different terms related to plugins and apps on ServiceNow instance.

Need to understand the difference between global plugin vs scoped plugin vs scoped app.

How do we create and develop them?
What are the impacts of different approaches?

Thanks in Advance 🙂

[Rahul Kumar17]

Hi @Deepthi ,

Please check below details

1. Global Plugin: A Global Plugin is a package of customizations that can be used across the entire ServiceNow instance. It can contain business rules, UI actions, UI pages, scripts, etc. Global Plugins are not isolated from other components on the platform, so changes made in one Global Plugin can potentially affect other parts of the instance. Global Plugins are typically used for widely applicable customizations that need to be accessible throughout the entire platform.

To create and develop a Global Plugin:

• Create/update customizations directly in the instance.
• Navigate to "System Definition" > "Plugins" to manage and activate plugins.
• Develop the customizations directly within the plugin.

Impacts of Global Plugin:

• Since they are not isolated, changes in one Global Plugin can impact other parts of the instance.
• Careful planning and coordination are required to prevent conflicts between different plugins and customizations.

1. Scoped Plugin: A Scoped Plugin is a package of customizations that runs in an isolated scope within the ServiceNow instance. It allows developers to encapsulate customizations and prevent conflicts with other plugins or platform changes. Scoped Plugins are often used to create reusable components or specific functionality for a group of users or departments.

To create and develop a Scoped Plugin:

• Navigate to "System Applications" > "Studio" to create a new Scoped Plugin application.
• Develop customizations within the plugin's scope using Studio or manually creating components.

Impacts of Scoped Plugin:

• Isolated scope ensures that changes in one Scoped Plugin do not affect other plugins or the core platform.
• Scoped Plugins are easier to manage and deploy because they have clear boundaries.

1. Scoped App: A Scoped App is a full-fledged application with its data, tables, and customizations, running in an isolated scope within the ServiceNow instance. Scoped Apps are more comprehensive than Scoped Plugins and are used to create self-contained modules or solutions. They provide complete separation of data and configurations from the rest of the instance, reducing the chances of conflicts and making them easier to distribute.

To create and develop a Scoped App:

• Navigate to "System Applications" > "Studio" to create a new Scoped App.
• Develop customizations, including tables, forms, business rules, etc., within the app's scope.

Impacts of Scoped App:

• Provides the highest level of isolation and encapsulation.
• Scoped Apps can be distributed and installed on other instances, making them suitable for building commercial solutions.

In summary, choosing the right approach (Global Plugin, Scoped Plugin, or Scoped App) depends on the scope and complexity of your customization:

• Global Plugins are suitable for small, widely applicable customizations.
• Scoped Plugins are preferable for isolating customizations and creating reusable components.
• Scoped Apps are the most comprehensive option, suitable for building self-contained modules or distributing commercial solutions.

When developing customizations, following best practices for each type is essential to prevent conflicts and ensure the smooth functioning of the ServiceNow instance. Always perform thorough testing before deploying changes to a production environment.

Thanks,

Rahul Kumar

[sendhile]

Is global application available to other organizations in service now cloud? say, Intalled snow instance in ABC inc. a global application/plugin, is this available for anothere company snow instance XYZ Inc.? 

[Community Alums]

Hello @Deepthi ,

I can help you understand the difference between global plugins, scoped plugins, and scoped apps in ServiceNow.

1. Global plugins are plugins that are installed in the global application scope. This means that they are accessible to all applications in the instance. Global plugins are typically used to provide common functionality that is needed by multiple applications.
2. Scoped plugins are plugins that are installed in a scoped application. This means that they are only accessible to applications that are in the same scope as the plugin. Scoped plugins are typically used to provide functionality that is specific to a particular application.
3. Scoped apps are applications that are created in a scoped application scope. This means that they are only accessible to applications that are in the same scope as the app. Scoped apps are typically used to create custom applications that are not compatible with the global application scope.

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between global plugins, scoped plugins, and scoped apps:

Feature	Global plugin	Scoped plugin	Scoped app
Application scope	Global	Scoped	Scoped
Accessibility	All applications	Applications in the same scope	Applications in the same scope
Typical use cases	Common functionality	Specific functionality	Custom applications

Here are the steps on how to create and develop global plugins, scoped plugins, and scoped apps:

• Global plugins can be created and developed using the ServiceNow Studio application. To create a global plugin, you need to create a new plugin record in the sys_plugins table. You can then add the plugin's files to the global application scope.
• Scoped plugins can also be created and developed using the ServiceNow Studio application. To create a scoped plugin, you need to create a new plugin record in the sys_plugins table. You can then add the plugin's files to the scoped application scope that you want the plugin to be accessible.
• Scoped apps can be created and developed using the ServiceNow Studio application. To create a scoped app, you need to create a new application record in the mycompanyappsmgmt table. You can then add the app's files to the scoped application scope that you want the app to be accessible.

My thoughts on impact?

The impacts of different approaches to creating and developing plugins and apps in ServiceNow depend on the specific requirements of the application. In general, global plugins are the most accessible, but they can also be the most difficult to manage. Scoped plugins and scoped apps provide more control over access and can be easier to manage, but they may not be as accessible to all applications. Scoped plugins and apps offer better isolation and are generally recommended for most scenarios, while global plugins are best used for system-wide customizations with careful testing and consideration.

 If the article helped you in any way, please hit the like button/mark it helpful. So it will help others to get the correct solution quickly.

Thanks,

Prasad.

[Community Alums]

Hi @Deepthi ,

Did you get a chance to review my response?

Was my answer correct? 

So as to help others in the community, please mark my answer as correct and/or helpful.

Thanks,

Prasad