Step execution scripts

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated July 31, 2025
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Step execution scripts

    Step execution scripts in ServiceNow define the specific actions a step performs when it runs within a step configuration record. These scripts interact with inputs and outputs defined in the step configuration to control the step’s behavior and outcome.

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    Step Inputs and Outputs

    • Step Inputs: Input variables are specified in the inputs related list of the step configuration. The script accesses these inputs through the inputs parameter, e.g., inputs.var1.
    • Step Outputs: Output variables are defined in the outputs related list. The script sets output values using the outputs parameter, such as outputs.out1.

    Controlling Step Result

    The stepResult parameter provides an API to mark the step as successful or failed and to log messages:

    • stepResult.setSuccess() marks the step as passed.
    • stepResult.setFailed() marks the step as failed.
    • stepResult.setOutputMessage(message) sets the log message for the step; the last message set overwrites any previous one.

    Practical Script Examples

    • Record Query Step: This script queries a specified table using encoded query inputs. It fails if no records match and passes with output values if records are found, logging the count and details.
    • Custom Scripted Step with Timeout: This example waits asynchronously for a condition to complete, retrying once per second up to a timeout limit. It passes if the condition completes within the timeout and fails otherwise, logging progress and final status.

    Usage Notes

    The custom scripted example can also be adapted for server-side scripts by replacing stepResult.setSuccess() and stepResult.setFailed() with return true and return false, respectively.

    In a step configuration record, the step execution script field determines what a step with this configuration does when it runs.

    Step inputs

    The input variables to a step are determined by the inputs related list in the step configuration record. The inputs parameter to executeScript() gives the script access to these variables. For example, if the inputs related list contains two records, var1 and var2, the script can reference var1 with the expression inputs.var1 and can reference var2 with inputs.var2.

    Step outputs

    The output variables to a step are determined by the outputs related list in the step configuration record. The outputs parameter to executeScript() gives the script access to these variables. For example, if the outputs related list contains two records, out1 and out2, the script can reference out1 with the expression outputs.out1 and can reference out2 with outputs.out2.

    Step result

    The stepResult parameter provides access to an API that controls whether the step passes or fails. It also determines the message the step writes to the log.

    The method stepResult.setSuccess() causes the step to succeed. The method stepResult.setFailed() causes the step to fail.

    The method stepResult.setOutputMessage() sets the message to write to the log when the step succeeds or fails. It takes one parameter: the string to write to the log. If the script calls stepResult.setOutputMessage() more than once, the most recent value set overwrites any previous value.

    Record Query step execution script

    
        (function executeStep(inputs, outputs, stepResult) {
             if (gs.nil(inputs.table)) {
                stepResult.setOutputMessage(gs.getMessage("The '{0}' input variable was not specified",
                   'table'));
             stepResult.setFailed();
              return;
        }
        var query = new GlideRecord(inputs.table);
        query.addEncodedQuery(inputs.field_values);
        query.query();
        if (!query.next()) {
             stepResult.setOutputMessage(gs.getMessage("No records matching query:\n{0}",
                 inputs.field_values));
              stepResult.setFailed();
        } else {
             stepResult.setSuccess();
             outputs.table = inputs.table;
             outputs.first_record = query.getUniqueValue();
             stepResult.setOutputMessage(gs.getMessage("Found {0} {1} records matching query:\n{2}",
                                                      [query.getRowCount(),
                                                       inputs.table,
                                                       inputs.field_values]));
        }
        }(inputs, outputs, stepResult));
        
       

    Custom scripted step configs

    
        ((function executeStep(inputs, outputs, stepResult, timeout) {
    	// Waits up to the timeout for some asynchronous logic to finish
    	// This script checks for completion once a second for up to 60 seconds
    	var counter = 1;
    	// Try for up to 60 seconds
    	while (counter <= timeout) {
    		// If the asynchronous logic is finished, return "true" to pass the step
    		// isMyAsyncLogicFinished() can be replaced with any asynchronous event that needs to be tested
    		if (isMyAsyncLogicFinished()) {
    			stepResult.setOutputMessage("Success!");
    			stepResult.setSuccess();
    			return;
    		}
    		// Wait one second, and log the total number of seconds waited
    		gs.info("Waited " + counter + " seconds for asynchronous logic to finish");
    		sn_atf.AutomatedTestingFramework.waitOneSecond();
    		counter++;
    	}
    	// If this point is reached, the retry loop ran out of tries; return false to fail the step
    	stepResult.setOutputMessage("FAILURE: Timed out after waiting for " + timeout + " seconds");
    	stepResult.setFailed();
    }(inputs, outputs, stepResult, timeout));
        
       
    Note:
    The above example can also be used for Run Server Side script by replacing stepResult.setSuccess()” and stepResult.setFailed() with return true and return false.