ServiceNow Scripting Development , Enhancement & Management

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Description

ServiceNow Scripting Development

ServiceNow scripting development refers to writing JavaScript-based logic to extend, customize, and automate the ServiceNow platform. Because ServiceNow is a configuration-first, code-second platform, scripting is used when out-of-the-box features and declarative tools (Flow Designer, rules, policies) cannot meet business requirements.

Scripting enables developers to manipulate data, customize UI behavior, build integrations, and create fully custom applications.

1. Purpose of Scripting in ServiceNow

Scripting is used to:

  1. Automate business processes
  2. Manipulate and validate data
  3. Customize form and UI behaviors
  4. Extend workflows and flows
  5. Build integrations (REST/SOAP)
  6. Implement security rules
  7. Create reusable server-side APIs
  8. Enhance catalog items
  9. Transform data during imports
  10. Build custom apps and services

2. Two Major Scripting Contexts

ServiceNow scripting falls into Server-side and Client-side contexts.

A. Server-Side Scripting

Runs on the server and can access the database.

Used for:

  1. Business Rules
  2. Script Includes
  3. Scheduled Jobs
  4. Flow Designer script steps
  5. Script Actions (events)
  6. Transform Maps / Import Sets
  7. ACL Scripts
  8. Fix Scripts
  9. Data Policies (scripted)

Key APIs:

  1. GlideRecord (read/write records)
  2. GlideSystem (gs) (logging, events, utilities)
  3. GlideDateTime
  4. GlideAggregate
  5. GlideUser / GlideSession
  6. RESTMessageV2 (REST integrations)
  7. SOAPMessageV2
  8. sn_ws.RESTMessageV2 (scoped)
  9. sn_cmdb / sn_hr / platform-specific APIs

Example:

var gr = new GlideRecord('incident');
gr.addQuery('active', true);
gr.query();
while (gr.next()) {
gs.log('Active incident: ' + gr.number);
}

B. Client-Side Scripting

Runs in the user’s browser; controls the UI and form behavior.

Used for:

  1. Client Scripts
  2. UI Policies with scripts
  3. UI Actions (client-side)
  4. Catalog Client Scripts
  5. Service Portal Widgets (AngularJS)
  6. Workspace / UI Framework components (React-like)

Key APIs:

  1. g_form (form fields, messages, display behavior)
  2. g_user (session user data)
  3. GlideAjax (async server calls)
  4. spUtil / widget APIs (Service Portal)

Example:

function onChange(control, oldValue, newValue) {
if (newValue == 1) {
g_form.setMandatory('priority_reason', true);
}
}

3. Hybrid / Full-Stack Scripting

Some features involve both client and server scripting working together:

A. GlideAjax

Used for async client → server communication.

Pattern:

  1. Client Script calls Script Include
  2. Script Include processes request
  3. Returns data to the client

B. Service Portal Widgets

Use:

  1. Client Controller (AngularJS)
  2. Server Script
  3. HTML Template
  4. CSS

C. Now Experience UI Framework

Uses:

  1. Web components
  2. Client script controllers
  3. Data resource scripts

4. Scripting Tools & Development Environment

ServiceNow provides built-in tooling to support development:

A. Script Editor

  1. Syntax highlighting
  2. Code completion
  3. API auto-suggest
  4. Versioning/history

B. Script Debugger

Debug server-side scripts:

  1. Pause, step-through
  2. Inspect variables
  3. Evaluate expressions

C. Field Watcher

Debug client-side interactions.

D. Browser DevTools

Useful for:

  1. Logs
  2. Network calls (GlideAjax)
  3. DOM inspection (Portal/UI)

E. Automated Test Framework (ATF)

Tests scripted logic automatically.

5. Common Scripting Development Patterns

A. Script Includes for Reusable Code

Server-side APIs for:

  1. Calculations
  2. Transformations
  3. Integrations
  4. Business logic

Marked “Client Callable” when accessed via GlideAjax.

B. Business Rule Patterns

  1. Before: validate or modify data
  2. After: trigger events/notifications
  3. Async: perform heavy logic
  4. Display: pass server values to client

C. Integration Development

Using:

  1. RESTMessageV2
  2. SOAPMessageV2
  3. MID Server scripts
  4. Transform scripts
  5. Import Set Scripting

D. Data Manipulation Patterns

Common GlideRecord patterns:

  1. Query loops
  2. Aggregates
  3. Related-list processing
  4. De-duplication
  5. Mass updates via scripts

E. Form/UI Customization Patterns

Client scripts combined with:

  1. UI Policies
  2. Catalog UI Policies
  3. UI Actions (buttons)
  4. Form message logic

6. Scripting Governance & Requirements

ServiceNow scripting development follows strict platform rules:

A. Security

  1. Respect ACLs
  2. Avoid exposing sensitive data to client scripts
  3. Validate all inputs from client → server

B. Performance

  1. Use indexed fields
  2. Avoid unnecessary queries
  3. Use asynchronous processing
  4. Cache results when possible

C. Maintainability

  1. Use Script Includes (modular code)
  2. Avoid duplicating scripts
  3. Write readable, documented code

D. Scoped Application Rules

  1. Scoped APIs only
  2. No cross-scope writes unless granted

7. Advanced Development Topics

A. Scripting With Flow Designer

Script actions for custom logic.

B. Scoped Application Development

  1. Modular architecture
  2. Private/public Script Includes
  3. Scoped APIs

C. MID Server Scripted Automation

  1. Scripted REST
  2. PowerShell/SSH probes
  3. Orchestration

D. Custom UI / Now Experience

Modern front-end scripting for:

  1. Workspaces
  2. Configurable UIs
  3. Record pages
  4. Components

Summary

ServiceNow Scripting Development is a combination of JavaScript automation, UI customization, and platform-specific API usage across both the server and client sides. It enables developers to:

  1. Automate workflows
  2. Enforce business logic
  3. Build integrations
  4. Customize forms and UI
  5. Manipulate data
  6. Create full custom applications
  7. It requires strong JavaScript skills, knowledge of ServiceNow APIs, adherence to security/performance rules, and use of the platform’s development tools.

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