ServiceNow scripting types: what are they?

Overview

ServiceNow is a popular platform used by many companies to manage their IT services. One of the key features of ServiceNow is its ability to be customized using different types of scripting. If you’re interested in learning more about ServiceNow scripting, you can enroll in ServiceNow Online Training in India. This can help you understand how to use the ServiceNow scripting tools to make the platform work according to your needs.

Client-Side Scripting

Client-side scripting is used to handle tasks that are related to the user interface (UI) of ServiceNow. These scripts run directly in the user’s browser and are triggered by actions that the user takes. The most common types of client-side scripting in ServiceNow are Client Scripts and UI Policies.

• Client Scripts: These are used to create custom actions that happen when the user interacts with a form or record. For example, if you want to validate a field or show a message when a user clicks a button, you can use a client script.
• UI Policies: These are a simpler way to manage the user interface. They allow you to change the behavior of a form based on certain conditions, like making a field mandatory or read-only. UI policies are mostly used when you don’t want to write code, but still need to control the form’s behavior.

Server-Side Scripting

Server-side scripting is used to handle tasks that happen behind the scenes on the ServiceNow server. These scripts are executed on the server and are responsible for creating the business logic and automating processes. The main types of server-side scripting in ServiceNow include Business Rules, Script Includes, and Scheduled Jobs.

• Business Rules: Business rules are used to automate tasks whenever records are added, updated, or deleted. For example, if a new incident is created, a business rule might be used to automatically send an email notification. Business rules can also update fields, create new tasks, or check certain conditions.
• Script Includes: These are reusable pieces of code that can be used in other scripts. They allow developers to write a block of code once and then call it whenever needed in other parts of the system. This helps reduce the amount of repeated code, making the system cleaner and easier to maintain.
• Scheduled Jobs: These are scripts that run automatically at scheduled times. For instance, you might use a scheduled job to automatically clean up old records every night or run a report at the end of the month.

Glide Scripting

Glide scripting is a unique feature in ServiceNow. It includes a set of built-in methods, also known as Glide APIs, which help developers interact with ServiceNow data. Glide scripting allows developers to work more efficiently with the platform.

• GlideRecord: One of the most commonly used Glide methods is GlideRecord. You can use GlideRecord to search, add, update, or delete records within the system.
• GlideSystem: Another important API is GlideSystem, which provides system-level functions like logging messages, generating unique IDs, or sending notifications.

UI Scripts

UI Scripts are used to add custom JavaScript code that can be used across multiple parts of ServiceNow. These scripts are generally written to create special functionality on forms or pages. For example, you can use a UI script if you need to integrate a third-party library or make a custom feature.

If you are interested in mastering these ServiceNow scripting techniques, there are several ServiceNow Training Institutes in Hyderabad where you can learn everything you need to know.

Here’s a quick table summarizing the different types of ServiceNow scripting:

Type of Scripting	What It Does	Example Use Case
Client Scripts	Runs on the user’s browser to manage the UI	Validating data or showing alerts based on user actions
UI Policies	Controls form behavior based on conditions	Making fields mandatory or read-only
Business Rules	Runs on the server to automate tasks and enforce business logic	Sending notifications or creating tasks
Script Includes	Code that can be reused and called from other scripts.	Centralizing functions for easier maintenance
Scheduled Jobs	Automatically runs tasks at specific times	Periodic data imports or cleanup tasks
Glide Scripting	Built-in APIs to interact with ServiceNow data	Querying records or sending notifications
UI Scripts	Reusable JavaScript code for custom functionality	Adding custom form features or third-party libraries

Conclusion

ServiceNow provides various scripting tools to help you automate tasks, customize forms, and interact with data. Whether you’re working on the user interface with client-side scripts or automating server-side tasks with business rules, each scripting type plays a vital role in making ServiceNow work efficiently. If you want to learn more about these ServiceNow scripting techniques, enrolling in ServiceNow Training Institutes in Hyderabad or exploring the ServiceNow Admin Certification Cost in India can be a great way to start your journey.