Why "current" doesn't work well in "Default value"?

[jamesgo]

If I put "javascript:current.sys_id;" in "Default value" field for an dictionary, it doesn't return anything when trying to create a new record… but if I put "typeof current" it does return "object", and "javascript:current.getTableName();" does work too. Any idea why?

[eican · Accepted solution]

Because the record has no sys_id until it is saved in the DB.

[jamesgo]

I haven't check, but I guess all the GlideRecord methods work at this time?

[eican]

The methods work but you are trying to get a value of a field which does not have a value yet.

You can check for that also using 'current.isNewRecord()' => https://wiki.servicenow.com/index.php?title=GlideRecord#isNewRecord