Servicenow sys id

[MUBEENAShaik]

what is hardcore sys id

[Astik Thombare]

Hi @MUBEENAShaik ,

I haven't seen this term in the official docs, but I've heard it thrown around in some forums. Here's my take on what it might mean:

What is a sys_id, Anyway?

For those new to ServiceNow, the sys_id is basically a record's fingerprint. It's a unique identifier that the system assigns to every single record, no matter what table it's in (incident, change request, user, and so on). Think of it like a social security number, but for ServiceNow data.

So, What's the Deal with "Hardcore sys_id"?

My guess is that "hardcore sys_id" refers to two things:

1. Going Straight to the Source: This means using the raw sys_id itself to find or reference records. You might see this in:
   • Filters: Typing the sys_id directly into a filter to find a specific record (like hunting down an incident with a particular ID).
   • URLs: Pasting the sys_id into a ServiceNow URL to access a record (think https://yourinstancename.service-now.com/incident.do?sys_id=ABCDEF1234567890).
   • Scripts: Using sys_id within scripts to grab specific records programmatically.

Why This Might Not Be the Best Approach

While using the sys_id might seem like a quick fix, there are some downsides:

• Mystery Machine: sys_id values are just a jumble of letters and numbers. They don't tell you anything about the record itself, making your code or configurations tough to understand later (even for yourself!).
• Maintenance Mayhem: If a record's sys_id ever changes (due to imports, exports, or other reasons), any code or setup that relies on the old sys_id will break. Not exactly ideal.

1. Highlighting the Importance:

Maybe "hardcore" is just a way of emphasizing how crucial the sys_id is. It's the one and only identifier that truly pinpoints a record in ServiceNow.

Better Ways to Find Your Records

ServiceNow recommends using more descriptive fields whenever possible:

• Display or Name Fields: Many tables have built-in fields designed for easier record identification, like incident numbers, change request numbers, or short descriptions. Use these instead of the cryptic sys_id.
• GlideRecord Queries: When you're working with scripts or APIs, use GlideRecord queries to fetch records based on clear criteria like descriptions, assigned groups, or other relevant fields. This makes your code more readable and adaptable to changes.

Please let me know if this helps! You can mark this answer as "Correct" if it resolves your issue, and "Helpful" if you find it valuable.

Thanks,

Astik Thombare

[Service_RNow]

Hi @MUBEENAShaik 

follow thread it will be helpful:-

https://www.servicenow.com/community/international-localization/hard-coded-strings-are-bad-mmmkay/ta...

https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0785129

Please mark reply as Helpful/Correct, if applicable. Thanks!

[Barry Kant]

The easiest to compare it is with a primary key of a database.