Difference between Fields and Variables in ServiceNow Catalog Items

[ny424436]

Hi everyone,

I have a basic doubt in ServiceNow.

We create fields for tables like Incident, but for Catalog Items we use variables instead of creating fields.

Why don’t we create fields for catalog items as well?
And why is it not necessary to store variable data permanently in the table?

Please explain in simple terms.

[Bhavya11]

Hi @ny424436 ,

Refer below link.

https://www.servicenow.com/community/itsm-forum/variable-vs-field/m-p/824068#:~:text=To%20clarify%2C... 

[GlideFather]

Hi @ny424436,

the fields are part of database (table - server), while variables are to provide details (e.g. ordering a phone - variables are memory, colour, model, ...).

You can either map them:

Variable A >> Field 1
Variable B >> Field 2

Etc...

Or you can add variable formatter to the incident table to see them directly.

But what is the purpose of showing variables on incident table?