🌟 What is a Global Application in ServiceNow?
- A global application in ServiceNow is an application that operates without any specific scope boundaries, having the ability to access and modify data and functionalities across all other applications and the core ServiceNow platform.
- They are like having free access to all the shared spaces and even the private rooms of everyone in the house. While convenient for some overarching tasks, it also carries the risk of accidentally messing with someone else's belongings.
📍 Breakdown of Global Applications:
- No Scope Boundaries
- Legacy Applications
- Merging Update Sets
- Potential for Conflicts
- Customization of Global Elements
- While global applications still exist and serve certain purposes, ServiceNow best practices generally recommend developing new functionalities within scoped applications to ensure better organization, prevent conflicts, and facilitate easier maintenance and updates.
🌟 What is a Scoped Application in ServiceNow?
- A scoped application in ServiceNow is a custom application that operates within its own defined namespace. This namespace acts as a protective container, isolating all the application's components – such as tables, scripts, business rules, and user interfaces – from the rest of the ServiceNow platform, including the global scope and other scoped applications.
- Think of it like having a separate, well-organized room for your custom development within a large house (the ServiceNow instance). Everything you build within that room belongs to it and won't directly interfere with things in other rooms.
📍 Here is the breakdown:
- Isolation and Prevents Conflicts
- Enhanced Security
- Modularity and Maintainability
- Simplified Deployment and Versioning
- Delegated Development
- ServiceNow Store Compatibility
- In simple terms, a scoped application is like a secure and organized box for your custom ServiceNow development, preventing it from interfering with other things in your ServiceNow instance and making it easier to manage and share.
🌟 What is the Difference Between Scoped & Global Applications in ServiceNow?
- In ServiceNow, applications are developed within a specific scope. This scope determines the boundaries and accessibility of the application's components, such as tables, scripts, and business rules. There are two main types of application scopes: scoped applications and global applications.
The main key differences between Scoped and Global Applications in ServiceNow to their absolute core:
➡ Isolation:
- Scoped Applications: Isolated, operating within their own defined boundaries, preventing unintended interference with other applications.
- Global Applications: No isolation; have unrestricted access and potential impact across the entire ServiceNow instance.
➡ Access Control:
- Scoped Applications: Restricted by default, requiring explicit permissions (cross-scope access) to interact with other scopes.
- Global Applications: Unrestricted access to all areas of ServiceNow.
➡ Identification:
- Scoped Applications: Use a unique namespace prefix for all components, ensuring global uniqueness.
- Global Applications: Lack this unique prefix.
➡ Distribution:
- Scoped Applications: Can be packaged and distributed via the ServiceNow Store.
- Global Applications: Cannot be distributed through the Store due to risk of conflicts.
📝 In essence:
Scoped applications prioritize containment and controlled interaction, while global applications operate in a shared, unrestricted environment.