addEncodedQuery vs applyEncodedQuery

[vikramkehar]

I often see both addEncodedQuery() and applyEncodedQuery() used in GlideRecord scripts — they seem similar, but are they really doing the same thing? When should I use one over the other, and are there cases where applyEncodedQuery() is actually better or more efficient?

[Rafael Batistot]

Hi @vikramkehar, 

Consider this answer 

https://www.servicenow.com/community/developer-forum/encoded-query/m-p/1825502

[Manoj89]

Hi Vikram,

addEncodedQuery() - can be used just to query records

var inc = new GlideRecord('incident');

inc.addEncodedQuery('active=true');

inc.setLimit(10);

inc.query();

while (inc.next()) {

    gs.print(inc.sys_id);

}

applyEncodedQuery() - Can be used to set field values on record insert.

var incCreate = new GlideRecord('incident');

incCreate.initialize();

incCreate.applyEncodedQuery('active=true^short_description=test^description=testdescp');

incCreate.insert();

[garimakharb · Accepted solution]

addEncodedQuery() adds your condition before the query runs — it filters at the database level.
applyEncodedQuery() filters records after the query is already run — it works in-memory.
Use addEncodedQuery for performance. Use applyEncodedQuery when you already queried and want to re-filter.