Demystifying script include: Question 2 - Script include with underscore name?

[Anish Reghu]

var GenericIncidentInterface = Class.create();
GenericIncidentInterface.prototype = Object.extendsObject(_ObjectTablesHelper, {
	type: 'GenericIncidentInterface',
	errorValues: 'az.incident.generic.interface.errors',
	logFilter: 'az.incident.generic.interface.logging.functions',

This is part of a code on a interface table for incident.

• Why do we have the base script include (_ObjectTablesHelper) name starting with underscore(_) ? - Does that make it nay special? I understand that a function starting with an underscore makes it private for any calls from external to the script include. But wondering why have a similar naming convention for script include?

Regards,

Anish

[Mark Roethof · Accepted solution]

Hi there,

"I understand that a function starting with an underscore makes it private for any calls from external to the script include".

You will indeed see in a lot more Script Incldues, especially functions within a Script Include starting with an underscore. Though this does not make the function private. It's just a naming convention, nothing more. A naming convention that that function is supposed to be used only within that Script Include. Though you could still call functions like these directly from for example a Business Rule.

If my answer helped you in any way, please then mark it as helpful.

Kind regards,
Mark
2020 ServiceNow Community MVP
2020 ServiceNow Developer MVP

---

LinkedIn
Community article list

[Anish Reghu]

Using the underscore as a prefix of a method is just a best practice to have a visual aid of which methods are intended for internal use within your script include. It's not the same as using private in a class or struct in other programming languages because you can still call the method with underscore outside of the script include.

Mm... good to know.

[Jatin]

@Mark Roethof 
Hi Mark,

I had define a function starting with underscore(e.g. _gmmpValue()) in a client callable script Include but it is not working. The function didn't get called from Client script. Please assist on this.

Thanks.

[gregouaki]

Don't forget to call the function with the underscore "_"  before the name of your function and this will work 

Ex : nameOfYourScript()._gmmpValue()

Regards