ServiceNow Blog 04: What is Server-side scripting?

[Community Alums]

1) What is Server-side scripting

• Server-side scripts are executed on server and database.
• Following are examples:
• Update the field when the record is inserted.
• Setting a value on a field when parent record is updated.
• Validate the role of logged in user.
• Generate events,
• Send an email.
• Where to use server-side scripting: ACL, Script include, transform map, workflow, and business rule.

2) Server-side scripting examples:

• Access control list
• Business Rule
• Ajax server scripts
• Scripts action
• Transform map
• Ui Action
• UI context menus
• Workflow editor

3)Server-side Glide classes:

• Glide Record: Glide Record is used for database operation. It’s used only on the server side. Syntax= create instance of Glide record class. Var gr = new GlideRecord(<table name>);.
• Glide System: The Glide System is used to get information about the system and current logged-in users. It’s referred to as a variable “gs”. Syntax= gs. <GlideSystemMethod> ().
• GlideAggregate: Glide Aggregate is used to perform aggregation operation on the database. It’s an extension of GlideRecord class. Provides database aggregation (COUNT, SUM, MIN, MAX, AVG) queries.
• GlideDateTime: The scoped GlideDateTime class provides methods for performing operations on GlideDateTime objects. Use the GlideDateTime methods to perform date-time operations, such as instantiating a GlideDateTime object, performing date-time calculations, formatting a date-time, or converting between date-time.
• GlideElement: The GlideElement API provides several convenient script methods for dealing with fields and their values. GlideElement methods are available for the fields of the current GlideRecord.
• GlideElement - canCreate()GlideElement - canRead()GlideElement - canWrite()GlideElement - changes()GlideElement - changesFrom(Object value)GlideElement - changesTo(Object value)GlideElement - dateNumericValue().

4) Access control List:

• An access control is a security rule defined to restrict the permission of a user from viewing and interacting with data.
• CRUD Operations: Create, Read, update(write) and delete.
• Access control definition – permission requirements: Object, operation, and permission.
• Rule Types: Table.None, Table.field and Table. *.

5) Business Rule:

• Server-side script
• Runs when record is displayed, inserted, updated, or deleted or table is queried.
• Table for business rules – sys_script.
• Types of business rule: Before, after, Async and Display.
• Two steps of business rule: when to run: the time when BR is configured for the record being modified or accessed and action.
• The Type of database operation: insert, update, query and delete.
• Global variables in business rules:
• Current: current now this is something which basically store state of the same record you are working on.
• Previous: Basically, captures the previous state of the record you are working on before any update or delete.
• G_scratchpad:  object is available on display type of business. If you want field value from database server end on a client that time, use g_scratchpad.
• Glidesystem:
• Actions Performed by business rule:
• Update the field value after creating the record as per the values of other fields.
• Stop users updating or inserting records if invalid data is used.
• Display information message when record is inserted.
• Create child tasks when parent is created.