question Re: What is the difference between class and a table? in CMDB forum

What is the difference between class and a table?

alaoemmanuel — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 23:20:51 GMT

Hi members,

I just started learning about ServiceNow. I am using the ServiceNow learning platform. I am confused as to the difference between a table and a class. Does anyone have a perfect analogy or illustration to aid my understanding of the two?

Re: What is the difference between class and a table?

Tanushree Maiti — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 03:07:38 GMT

Hi @alaoemmanuel

Answer generated by Now Assist

In the context of ServiceNow's Configuration Management Database (CMDB), both "table" and "class" are referenced, particularly when using the CI Class Manager. While the document does not provide explicit definitions, it suggests that a "class" refers to a type or category of Configuration Item (CI) with specific attributes and hierarchy, and a "table" is the underlying data structure that stores records for each class. The CI Class Manager is used to manage both tables and class attributes within the CMDB hierarchy."

Re: What is the difference between class and a table?

yashkamde — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 04:34:25 GMT

Hello @alaoemmanuel ,

In short, A table is where records are stored. A class is a definition/type that tells ServiceNow what those records represent and what they inherit.

Table	Class
Stores data/records	Defines the type/category of an object
Like an Excel sheet/database table	Like a blueprint/category
Contains rows (records) and columns (fields)	Defines properties, fields, and inheritance
Used to store actual data	Used to define relationships and common behavior
Example: Incident table	Example: Incident class
A table can extend another table	A class can inherit from a parent class
Example: Task → Incident	Example: Task class → Incident class
Think: Where the data is stored	Think: What type of object it is

If my response helped mark as helpful and accept the solution.

Re: What is the difference between class and a table?

prerna_sh — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 04:53:27 GMT

Hi @alaoemmanuel ,

Table = a container for records.
Class = the type of record.

For example:

cmdb_ci → CI table
cmdb_ci_server → Server class/table
cmdb_ci_win_server → Windows Server class/table

So, class tells you what kind of CI it is, while the table is where its data is stored.

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Thanks,
Prerna

Re: What is the difference between class and a table?

masonreed11 — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 05:33:11 GMT

Think of a table as a storage box and a class as the type or blueprint for what goes in that box. For example, the Incident table stores incident records, while Incident is also a class that extends the Task class and inherits its fields and behavior. Once you understand inheritance, the relationship between tables and classes in ServiceNow becomes much easier to follow.