Before and After Business Rules are server-side scripts in ServiceNow that execute when database operations occur on tables. They are fundamental components for automating processes and enforcing business logic within the platform.
Before Business Rules execute prior to a database operation being …Before and After Business Rules are server-side scripts in ServiceNow that execute when database operations occur on tables. They are fundamental components for automating processes and enforcing business logic within the platform.
Before Business Rules execute prior to a database operation being committed. They run when a record is inserted, updated, deleted, or queried. These rules are ideal for data validation, field manipulation, and setting default values. Since they execute ahead of the database commit, any changes made to the current object will be saved along with the original transaction. For example, you might use a Before Business Rule to automatically populate a field based on other field values, validate that required conditions are met, or modify data prior to it being stored. If validation fails, you can use current.setAbortAction(true) to prevent the record from being saved.
After Business Rules execute following the successful completion of a database operation. At this point, the record has already been committed to the database. These rules are perfect for triggering related actions, creating associated records, sending notifications, or updating other tables based on the newly saved data. For instance, after an incident is created, you might want to generate related tasks or send email notifications to stakeholders.
Key differences include timing and use cases. Before rules allow modification of the current record being processed, while After rules work with data that is already persisted. After rules should be used when you need to reference the sys_id of a newly created record or when performing operations that depend on the committed state.
Best practices include keeping business rules efficient to avoid performance issues, using conditions to limit when rules execute, and documenting the purpose of each rule. Understanding when to use Before versus After rules is essential for ServiceNow administrators to implement effective automation and maintain data integrity across the platform.
Before and After Business Rules in ServiceNow
Why Before and After Business Rules Are Important
Before and After Business Rules are fundamental components of ServiceNow's server-side scripting capabilities. They allow administrators and developers to automate processes, enforce data integrity, validate information, and manipulate records during database operations. Understanding these rules is essential for the CSA exam as they represent core functionality for customizing ServiceNow behavior.
What Are Before and After Business Rules?
Business Rules are server-side scripts that execute when database operations occur on a table. They run based on specific conditions and timing relative to the database action.
Before Business Rules: These execute prior to the database operation being committed. They are ideal for: - Validating data before it is saved - Setting field values automatically - Aborting transactions if conditions are not met - Modifying the current record before insertion or update
After Business Rules: These execute following the database operation being committed. They are ideal for: - Updating related records - Sending notifications - Creating additional records based on the committed data - Logging or auditing actions - Triggering workflows or events
How Business Rules Work
Business Rules operate on specific triggers: - Insert: When a new record is created - Update: When an existing record is modified - Delete: When a record is removed - Query: When records are being retrieved
The current object represents the record being processed, while the previous object contains the record's values prior to the current operation (available in update scenarios).
Key Differences Between Before and After
Before Business Rules: - Can modify the current record using current.field_name = value - Changes are saved with the same database transaction - No need to call current.update() as changes are included in the pending operation - Can abort the operation using current.setAbortAction(true)
After Business Rules: - The record has been committed to the database - Modifying the current record requires calling current.update() - Cannot abort the original transaction - Best for actions that depend on having a sys_id or committed data
Common Use Cases
Before Business Rules examples: - Auto-populating assignment group based on category - Validating that required fields contain appropriate values - Setting default values for fields - Preventing duplicate records
After Business Rules examples: - Creating child tasks when a parent record is saved - Updating parent records when child records change - Sending email notifications after record creation - Integrating with external systems
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Before and After Business Rules
1. Remember the timing: Before runs prior to database commit, After runs following database commit. Questions often test this fundamental concept.
2. Data manipulation location: If a question asks about setting field values on the current record efficiently, Before Business Rules are the answer since they do not require an additional database call.
3. The update() method: In Before rules, you do not need current.update() to save changes to the current record. In After rules, you must call current.update() if modifying the same record.
4. Aborting transactions: Only Before Business Rules can prevent a database operation from completing. If a question involves validation that should stop a save, think Before.
5. Related record updates: Questions about updating other tables or creating related records typically point to After Business Rules.
6. The previous object: Remember that previous contains pre-update values and is useful for comparing what changed during an update operation.
7. Performance considerations: Exam questions may reference that Before rules are more efficient for modifying the current record since they use the existing database transaction.
8. Order of execution: Business Rules execute in order based on their Order field value. Lower numbers run first.
9. Watch for keywords: Words like 'validate,' 'prevent,' or 'set default' suggest Before rules. Words like 'notify,' 'create related,' or 'update parent' suggest After rules.