Understanding current.isValidRecord() in ServiceNow

If you're a ServiceNow developer, you've likely encountered the current.isValidRecord() function. While the ServiceNow documentation describes it as returning "true if the current record is valid or false if past the end of the record set," the practical implications of this can be a bit unclear. This article will delve into what current.isValidRecord() actually does, common scenarios where it's used, and how to troubleshoot unexpected behavior. Understanding this function is key to writing robust and reliable ServiceNow scripts, especially in Business Rules and UI Actions.

Unpacking current.isValidRecord(): What Does It Really Mean?

The primary purpose of current.isValidRecord() is to verify whether a GlideRecord object actually represents a valid record in the ServiceNow database. In simpler terms, it checks if the system can successfully retrieve and access the record you're trying to work with. It returns true if the record is valid and accessible, and false otherwise.

So, when will current.isValidRecord() return false? Here are a few common scenarios:

• Invalid sys_id: If you're using GlideRecord to query for a record using a specific sys_id, and that sys_id doesn't exist in the table, isValidRecord() will return false. This is because the GlideRecord object doesn't point to a real record.

• Beyond the Record Set: When iterating through a GlideRecord object after performing a query, isValidRecord() will return false once the loop has processed all available records. This signals that you've reached the end of the record set and there are no more records to process. Consider the example in a "Run Script" background script:

var gr = new GlideRecord('incident');
gr.query();
while (gr.next()) {
	gs.info(gr.number + ' exists'); // Process each incident
}
gs.info(gr.isValidRecord()); // Will return 'false' here

• Inside the while loop, gr.isValidRecord() would return true for each valid incident record. However, after the loop completes, when gr.next() no longer finds any more records, gr.isValidRecord() becomes false.

• Invalid Table: Although less common, isValidRecord() can return false if the specified table in your GlideRecord object is invalid or doesn't exist.

  
  

Troubleshooting Unexpected Behavior

A user reported a scenario where a Business Rule with the condition current.isValidRecord() sometimes failed to execute even when the record was being updated. This could be due to several reasons:

• Timing Issues: Race conditions or asynchronous operations might be interfering with the execution of the Business Rule. For example, another script might be modifying the record simultaneously, causing temporary inconsistencies.

• Data Issues: While the record appears to be updated with new data, there might be underlying data integrity issues preventing the Business Rule from evaluating correctly.

• Incorrect Business Rule Configuration: Double-check that the Business Rule is configured to run at the correct time (e.g., before or after update) and that the conditions are accurately capturing the desired scenario. Review the filter conditions for any logical errors.

  
  

Practical Examples and Use Cases

• UI Actions: Use current.isValidRecord() in UI Actions to prevent scripts from running on records that haven't been fully created or are in an invalid state. This helps avoid errors and ensures that your UI Actions only operate on valid data.

• Business Rules: In Business Rules, current.isValidRecord() can validate the record before proceeding with complex logic. This is crucial in ensuring that background processes operate only on good data and avoid unexpected failures.

• Scheduled Jobs: Employ this to check if a GlideRecord object fetched from an external source is actually a valid record before processing it in your scheduled job.

  
  

Alternative Solutions

Sometimes, relying solely on current.isValidRecord() might not be sufficient. Consider these alternative or supplementary approaches:

• Specific Field Checks: Instead of just checking record validity, check if specific required fields have values before proceeding. This offers more granular control.

• Try-Catch Blocks: Wrap potentially problematic GlideRecord operations in try-catch blocks to gracefully handle exceptions that might arise from invalid records.

• Logging: Implement detailed logging to track when isValidRecord() returns false and to identify the root cause of the issue.

current.isValidRecord() is a valuable tool in ServiceNow for ensuring data integrity and preventing script errors. By understanding its behavior and common use cases, you can write more robust and reliable code. Remember to consider potential timing issues, data inconsistencies, and alternative solutions to address unexpected behavior.

Next Steps:

1. Review your existing ServiceNow scripts that use current.isValidRecord() to ensure they are handling potential invalid record scenarios gracefully.

2. Implement detailed logging to monitor the behavior of current.isValidRecord() in your critical Business Rules and UI Actions.

3. Consider using more specific field checks alongside current.isValidRecord() for enhanced data validation.