Is coding required in ServiceNow?

Yes, coding is required in ServiceNow for certain roles, especially if you are a ServiceNow Developer or working on more technical aspects of the platform. However, not all roles require coding, and many ServiceNow tasks can be accomplished through low-code/no-code features.

Here’s a breakdown of when coding is required and when it’s not:

1. Coding Required: Developer Roles and Advanced Customization

If you’re working as a ServiceNow Developer or in a role that involves heavy customization, you’ll need to code. The primary language used in ServiceNow is JavaScript, both for server-side and client-side scripting. Here’s where coding is necessary:

• Client Scripts: Used to control the behavior of forms and fields in the browser.
• Business Rules: Server-side scripts that automate processes when records are inserted, updated, or deleted.
• GlideRecord: A powerful API for querying and manipulating records in the ServiceNow database.
• Scripted REST APIs: Used to build custom API integrations.
• UI Actions and UI Pages: Used to customize user interface elements with custom code.
• Custom Applications: When building fully custom applications, you will often need to write code to implement business logic.

Example: Writing a Business Rule to automatically assign high-priority incidents to a specific team.

var gr = new GlideRecord('incident');
gr.addQuery('priority', 1);
gr.query();
while (gr.next()) {
    gr.assigned_to = 'John Doe';
    gr.update();
}

2. Low-Code/No-Code Features: Admin Roles

If you are working in a ServiceNow Administrator or a similar role, coding may not be necessary for most day-to-day tasks. ServiceNow offers many low-code/no-code tools that allow users to create workflows and automate processes without writing code. These features include:

• Flow Designer: A visual, drag-and-drop tool for building workflows and automations without needing to write scripts.
• Workflow Editor: A low-code tool to design approval processes, notifications, and task automation.
• Service Catalog: Allows users to create catalog items and define fulfillment workflows without coding.
• Reports and Dashboards: Can be created without any coding, simply by selecting data sources and defining visualizations.
• Access Control and User Management: Most user roles, permissions, and access controls can be set up through the UI without the need for coding.

3. Integration and Advanced Use Cases

For integrating ServiceNow with external systems, some level of coding is often required, especially when dealing with APIs (REST or SOAP). However, IntegrationHub allows users to create integrations with popular platforms using pre-built connectors and low-code actions, reducing the need for extensive coding.

4. Scripting for Complex Automations

For more complex automation tasks, coding is necessary to handle custom scenarios, build dynamic forms, or perform advanced data processing. This is typically required in roles that involve creating custom scripts, APIs, or business logic beyond what can be handled with low-code tools.

Conclusion

While coding is required in ServiceNow for roles that involve advanced customization, development, or integrations, many tasks can be accomplished through low-code/no-code features for administrators or functional users. Depending on the role you're pursuing, your coding needs may vary from basic scripting in JavaScript to more complex custom development.