Should I check the "Ignore cache" checkbox when I am updating a sys_property?

[Smith Johnson]

Hello,

I would like to understand what it means the message that I see when I am trying to update a system property "Updating this record with Ignore cache unchecked can cause serious performance impact from a whole system cache flush."

1) What does this message means in simple (beginner) terms?
2) Considering that the message says "Updating this record with Ignore cache unchecked can cause serious performance impact", does this mean that I ALWAYS need to check the "Ignore cache" checkbox when I am updating a sys_property?

Thank you,
Smith.

[Vrushali Kolte]

@Smith Johnson,

To answer your question, in simple language -

Caching system properties helps improve performance by reducing the number of database queries needed to retrieve property values. However, in some cases, you might want to ensure that the system always retrieves the latest value of a property, and that's where the "ignore cache" option comes into play.

• ignore_cache set to true: This means that the system property value is not cached and will be retrieved directly from the database every time it is accessed. This can be useful for properties that are frequently changed and need to reflect their latest values immediately.
• ignore_cache set to false: This means that the system property value is cached, and the cached value is used instead of querying the database every time. This is the default behavior and helps improve performance by reducing database load.

For more information, please refer -

https://www.servicenow.com/community/developer-blog/ignore-cache-checkbox-on-system-property-lt-sys-...

https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB1000746

If my answer solves your issue, please mark it as Accepted & Helpful!

[Nicholas_Gann]

If the 'Ignore cache' checkbox is unchecked, the system cache will be cleared whenever this system property is updated. This can cause problems where a system property is frequently updated as the platform will have to clear its cache and the process of regenerating it will slow down active user sessions and potentially background activities.

You don't need to uncheck the box for the property updates to take as there are background processes that ensure that the new value is registered in the platform where it is referenced. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but for any user created properties this can usually remain checked (the default) but i would leave its value as-is for any OOTB system properties as it will have been unchecked intentionally.

The value of Ignore cache isn't something you should change because you want to update the 'Value' of the property. The nature of the property and how the platform uses it determines what the 'Ignore cache' checkbox should be set to. If it's an out of the box property and it was already unchecked, then ignore the informational message but also don't make a habit of changing the property value either.

[Sid_Takali]

Hi @Smith Johnson Refer this KB Article https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB1000746 

https://www.servicenow.com/community/developer-blog/ignore-cache-checkbox-on-system-property-lt-sys-.... 

[maria03]

Hello,

I found this information in Servicenow documentation:

"Typically, you should only select the check box and enable ignoring the cache when you have a system property that changes more frequently than once a month, and the property value is only stored in the sys_properties table."

https://www.servicenow.com/docs/bundle/xanadu-platform-administration/page/administer/reference-page...

Then another information from a support KB article:

"So, in summary, unless you have some very good reason that the entire system cache needs to be flushed when a Property is changed, then set ignore_cache = true. That way the system will only flush the property-specific cache when the property is updated and not the whole Glide System cache. Thus, you will avoid the performance impact of a whole system cache flush."

https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB1000746