Learning Javascript for Servicenow in 2026

[D-Curtis03]

Hi everyone,

I am relatively new to scripting, but my goal is to become a developer on the ServiceNow platform. I am currently looking for advice on the best learning path for JavaScript.

I know Chuck Tomasi's "Learn JavaScript on the Now Platform" series is legendary here. However, since we are in 2026 and the platform now supports modern ECMAScript standards (ES12/ES13), I have a couple of questions:

• Is his course still the best starting point, or is the syntax a bit outdated for building modern scoped apps?

• What other resources, courses, or bootcamps do you recommend for a beginner starting today?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[D-Curtis03]

Thanks for the reply @abirakundu23. I know about Tomassi's course, I just wanted to know if there are more recent materials, or if studying using his course is still good enough nowadays.

[Dinesh 89]

Best ServiceNow JavaScript tutorials

Chuck Tomasi – Learn JavaScript on the Now Platform
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3rNcyAiDYK2_87aRvXEmAyD8M9DARVGK
This is still a good beginner starting point. ServiceNow's Community confirms the series was later expanded with Learn MORE, Learn Glide, and ECMAScript 2021.

Learn MORE JavaScript + Glide APIs + ECMAScript 2021
https://www.servicenow.com/community/developer-advocate-blog/learn-more-javascript-on-the-servicenow...
This is particularly useful after Chuck's original lessons. It covers this, scope, hoisting, GlideSystem, GlideAggregate, GlideDateTime, GlideAjax, GlideForm, GlideQuery, and modern ECMAScript features such as let, const, arrow functions, spread/rest, optional chaining, etc.

ServiceNow – Scripting in ServiceNow Fundamentals
https://nowlearning.servicenow.com/lxp/en?id=learning_course_prev&course_id=e728f68cdb5eff40de3cdb85...
After JavaScript basics, this is the direction I'd recommend for actual ServiceNow development. (ServiceNow)

JavaScript fundamentals
JavaScript.info – Modern JavaScript Tutorial
JavaScript.info

W3Schools – JavaScript Tutorial
W3Schools JavaScript Tutorial

MDN – JavaScript Guide
MDN JavaScript Guide

My recommended order
If you're completely new to JavaScript, I'd follow:

JavaScript.info / W3Schools
↓
Chuck Tomasi – Learn JavaScript on Now Platform
↓
Learn MORE JavaScript
↓
Learn Glide APIs
↓
Client Scripts + UI Policies
↓
Business Rules + Script Includes
↓
GlideRecord + GlideAjax
↓
REST APIs / Integrations
↓
Application Development

And importantly, don't worry too much about ES12/ES13 initially. First become very comfortable with JavaScript fundamentals and ServiceNow's scripting model. The ServiceNow-specific Learn MORE series already introduces modern ECMAScript concepts. 

[Dr Atul G- LNG]

Hi @D-Curtis03 

Here are a few tips:

1. Follow this master playlist to strengthen your JavaScript skills specifically for the ServiceNow platform. 

https://youtu.be/62Nabpb94Jw?si=FqBwRN2B8C71aYHr

 Hands on  https://developer.servicenow.com/dev.do#!/learn/courses/australia/app_store_learnv2_scripting_austra...

1. Spend at least 1–2 hours daily on the ServiceNow Community. Observe the kinds of technical questions being asked and how experienced members respond. You’ll learn a lot passively this way—and I highly encourage you to start answering questions as well. Explaining concepts to others will improve your technical thinking and deepen your understanding.

1. Explore the free courses available on the ServiceNow Developer Site. These are practical and focused, and will help you apply your knowledge directly on the platform.

2. https://developer.servicenow.com/dev.do#!/learn/learning-plans/yokohama/citizen_developer
3. https://developer.servicenow.com/dev.do#!/learn/learning-plans/yokohama/servicenow_application_devel...

Basic courses:

https://developer.servicenow.com/dev.do#!/learn/learning-plans/australia/new_to_servicenow

https://developer.servicenow.com/dev.do#!/learn/learning-plans/australia/servicenow_administrator

[mohithreddy]

Chuck Tomasi's series is still a valid starting point - what it teaches (GlideRecord, GlideSystem, scoping, client vs server execution) has not changed. Modern ECMAScript support changes the syntax available to you, not the platform APIs.

Language side: server-side scripts in scoped applications run on the newer ES2021-capable engine, so let/const, arrow functions, template literals, spread, destructuring, Array.find/includes, Object.assign are fine. Global-scope scripts still default to the legacy ES5 engine, so modern syntax pasted into a global business rule can throw a syntax error. Rule of thumb: new code in a scoped app; keep global-scope code ES5. Client scripts run in the browser, so ES6+ is fine there.

Learning path: 1) Learn plain JavaScript first from a generic source - freeCodeCamp's JavaScript course or javascript.info. Do not learn the language from ServiceNow material. 2) Then Now Learning "Scripting in ServiceNow Fundamentals", plus the Developer Site server-side and client-side scripting learning plans. 3) Build on a PDI: a scoped app with a table, a business rule, a Script Include called from a client script via GlideAjax, a Flow Designer action with a script step, and one Service Portal widget. That covers most real work. 4) Use the Now Platform API reference rather than memorising - GlideRecord, GlideAggregate, GlideDateTime, GlideAjax, RESTMessageV2. 5) Practise in Scripts - Background and learn the Script Debugger.

Habits that matter more than syntax: always check the return of gr.next(), never query in a loop when GlideAggregate or an encoded query will do, and know when the logic belongs in Flow Designer instead of a script. If you want a study target, CSA then CAD.