Guidance on JavaScript for ServiceNow Beginners

[Jagadeesh1536]

Hello Community,

I’m a fresher currently exploring the ServiceNow platform, and I recently came across information that there are certain limitations on the JavaScript versions supported in ServiceNow.

Could anyone please guide me on the following:

• Which JavaScript version does ServiceNow currently support?

• What are the best resources to learn JavaScript with a ServiceNow focus?

• Do I need to learn the entire JavaScript language, or only specific concepts that are most relevant for ServiceNow development?

From what I understand, the following JavaScript topics seem to be the most useful in ServiceNow development:

• Variables, Data Types, and Operators

• Functions and Scope

• Objects and Arrays

• Loops and Conditional Statements

• String & Date manipulation

• Error handling (try/catch)

• Callback functions & basic understanding of asynchronous behavior

• JSON handling (parse/stringify)

I would really appreciate your guidance on whether this list is enough to get started, or if there are other important areas I should focus on.

Thank you in advance for your support!

[GlideFather · Accepted solution]

Hi @Jagadeesh1536,

first of all, welcome to the Platform of platforms 😉 

About the JavaScript versioning, you can select between ECMA Script 12 and ES6 where you can switch by the toggle:

You can also achieve a lot by no-code method actually, so you don't need to script everything, on the contrary the recommended way is to use as little code as possible...

Here are some resources for scripting in ServiceNow:

• Introduction to Scripting Objectives
• Learn JavaScript on the Now Platform
• Discover the benefits of ECMAScript: How ES12 can enhance businesses and benefit developer
• TOKYO INTRODUCES ECMASCRIPT 2021 (ES12/ECMA6+)
• Scripting in ServiceNow Fundamentals 

Beside of scripting as such, let me share some other resources that you might find helpful:

ServiceNow University  🎓 🧠 📚

• Get Started with ServiceNow University
• Collect badges and points to improve your rank.
• most of the content is free, but something - absolute minority - is paid,
• Enrol to Welcome to ServiceNow training and complete it then get your first cert 🏆(but hey I must warn you it’s addictive!)
• Active Learning: Are You Ready For FUNdamentals? 
• What next? Check Career Journeys and Learning Path for inspiration.
• Usually, the very first mainline certificate to take is Certified System Administrator (CSA), a must for pretty much any role in the whole ServiceNow ecosystem.

Developer Portal 💻 🛠️ 🌐 

Request your PDI (Personal Developer Instance) here to master your newly gained knowledge. 

• PDI is your own ServiceNow platform without a worry that you break something,
• except of AI and few more features you can try more or less everything on your own for free!
• Check the top menu for Documentations, Guides, Glossary and Connections.

At the ServiceNow University you collect points, badges, (micro-)certifications and you earn your ranking

The Developer portal is for further practice and technical references, the reward is that knowledge what you will take from that

Godspeed! 🤞💪

[Jagadeesh1536]

Thanks mate. I really appreciate your time and eeforts in solving my query.

[GlideFather]

Thank you for kind words! :)) Good luck and have fun!