Which two approaches are best for same-record field updates in Salesforce?

The best approaches for same-record field updates in Salesforce involve methods that execute before the record is saved to the database, which allows for efficient processing and less overhead. The Before-Save Flow Trigger is specifically designed to handle updates on the same record without requiring a database write, making it faster and more efficient, as the changes are made in memory. This helps in reducing the number of records written to the database and consequently lowers overall processing costs.

Apex Triggers are another powerful tool for performing updates on the same record. They can be initiated before the record is saved (Before Trigger), allowing developers to write custom logic that can manipulate the record before it enters the database. This flexibility can include complex logic that might not be achievable through declarative tools, providing developers with a greater capability to perform condition-based updates.

Combining these two approaches—Before-Save Flow Triggers, which are declarative, and Apex Triggers, which can handle more complex scenarios—enables efficient and flexible same-record updates, ensuring that business logic is enforced while maintaining optimal system performance.