6 GlideRecord Tips to Supercharge Your ServiceNow Development

[Kristy Merriam]

If you’re a ServiceNow developer, you know that GlideRecord is at the heart of scripting and querying in ServiceNow. But are you using it to its full potential? In this week’s "Did You Know" episode, Kristy shares six GlideRecord tips that can improve your scripts and take your query performance to the next level.

 

1. Boost Performance with addExtraFields

Fetching related fields on reference records can often lead to multiple queries. With the addExtraFields method, introduced in the Washington release, you can grab these fields upfront, reducing unnecessary lookups and improving performance.

2. Use initialize vs. newRecord for Custom Records

When creating records programmatically, understanding the difference between initialize and newRecord is key. While initialize sets up a GlideRecord object without populating default values, newRecord includes defaults based on table configurations.

3. Simplify Queries with addEncodedQuery

Save time by using addEncodedQuery for advanced filters. Whether replicating UI filters or dynamically building queries, this method streamlines complex conditions in just one line.

4. Optimize Subqueries with addJoinQuery

Efficiently retrieve related records by using addJoinQuery. It’s perfect for scenarios where filters or conditions are applied to related data, minimizing the need for multiple queries.

5. Dynamically Discover Fields with getFields

Working with dynamic or unknown schemas? The getFields method lets you retrieve a table’s field names programmatically. It’s invaluable for debugging or creating flexible scripts.

6. Implement Pagination with chooseWindow

Pagination and batch processing become effortless with chooseWindow. Limit your query results to a specific range, ideal for scenarios like loading records in chunks or managing large datasets. Pair this with sorting methods like orderBy for consistent results.

Best Practices for GlideRecord

• Always index your query fields to enhance performance.
• Combine pagination methods with sorting to avoid inconsistencies.
• Use dynamic scripting techniques to adapt to changing table structures.

Conclusion
These GlideRecord tips can save you time, reduce errors, and help you write cleaner, more efficient scripts. Which tip did you find most useful? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to catch the next episode of "Did You Know" for more ServiceNow insights!