Every line of code, test, and bug fix demands attention and time. In ServiceNow development, efficiency and speed are everything. But what if you could reduce that time significantly without compromising quality? We can accomplish that using ServiceNow Xplore, a powerful XML-based developer toolkit that integrates directly.
Xplore provides an intuitive interface with powerful for interacting with data, testing code, and debugging scripts. But before we can leverage its features, let us see how to get ServiceNow Xplore up and running in the instance.
How to Install ServiceNow Xplore
- Download the Xplore XML: Get the installable XML from xploreToolkit.com.
- Import XML: In ServiceNow, navigate to ‘Retrieved Update Sets’ in Application Navigator. At the bottom of list, Click ‘Related Links’ and select ‘Import Update Set from XML’, then upload the downloaded file.
- Commit the Update Set: Once the XML is uploaded, open ‘Xplore: Developer Toolkit’ xml file. Click ‘Preview Update Set’, and then ‘Commit Update Set’.
- Access Xplore: Once installed, the ServiceNow Xplore icon shows up on the instance.
Now, let’s see how Xplore fits naturally into your ServiceNow environment.
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Accessing Xplore in ServiceNow
Once installed, Xplore integrates into ServiceNow through multiple access points, making it simple to use in your day-to-day development tasks.
1) ServiceNow Banner Access
The Xplore icon appears at the right side of the ServiceNow banner. Clicking it opens a new window dedicated to ServiceNow Xplore’s interactive interface. From here, you can instantly begin testing scripts, examining GlideRecord, or analyzing ServiceNow data.
2) Context Menu Access
ServiceNow Xplore is also integrated within two crucial context menus:
- Form Context Menu: When working with a form, simply right-click and choose “Open in Xplore“. This opens Xplore with the GlideRecord for the specific record associated with the form.
- List Context Menu: Similarly, from any ServiceNow list, you can select “Open List in Xplore“ to load Xplore with a list of records. This lets you quickly view or manipulate multiple records at once.
With these access points, ServiceNow Xplore is designed to integrate directly into your instance without requiring constant switching between tabs or interfaces.
Key Features of Xplore: A Developer’s Powerhouse
Xplore is packed with features that streamline development tasks, enhance code exploration, and simplify debugging. Let’s take a look at its features:
1. Exploratory Programming and Code Inspection
Xplore is designed for exploratory programming, giving you fast access to the structure of JavaScript and Java classes. It permits developers to inspect properties, objects, and variables, and explore how various parts of the framework connect with one another. This is particularly useful when you’re new to a specific piece of code and have to rapidly understand its structure and behavior quickly.
2. Handling Large Text and Data
Dealing with large strings like CSV parsing, XML processing, or big datasets can be tricky. Xplore makes it easier to manage these large text blocks, allowing you to efficiently work with and manipulate strings. This is particularly useful when dealing with data imports, exports, or processing complex files.
3. Regular Expression Testing Made Easy
Regular expressions are powerful but often tricky to perfect. Xplore includes a built-in regex testing tool that makes it simple to write and test regular expressions. With instant feedback, you can refine your expressions quickly, ensuring they work as intended.
4. Script Timer and Transaction Management
For long-running scripts, Xplore comes with a built-in timer to track how long your transaction has been running. This is invaluable when you’re running complex or time-consuming scripts and need to monitor their performance. Additionally, transaction cancellation provides safety from issues like infinite loops, allowing you to stop a script mid-execution.
5. Log Management and Insights
Xplore’s integrated log viewer helps you easily see what your scripts are doing. You can access pre-filtered node logs and system logs to gain insights into the behavior of your code. This log visibility is essential for debugging, performance analysis, and understanding how your scripts interact with the system.
6. Scope-Specific Execution
Xplore supports running scripts not just in the global scope, but also within specific application scopes in ServiceNow implementation. This feature allows you to test and run scripts within the right context, ensuring you’re working within the correct module or application.
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7. Visual Table Hierarchy
ServiceNow Xplore’s Visual Table Hierarchy feature allows you to easily search for tables and view their structure and relationships. By visualizing how different tables and fields are connected, you can quickly navigate and explore your data without needing to manually run complex queries.
Xplore Interface: A Deep Dive
Now that we know the key features of Xplore, let’s explore its interface. Xplore’s design is meant to provide maximum utility while minimizing complexity.
1) Left Sidebar: Your Productivity Hub
On the left sidebar, Xplore offers five essential options:
- New: Open a new Xplore window without disrupting your current work. This allows you to multitask by working on multiple scripts or queries simultaneously.
- Toggle Editor: If you need more room to analyze your code or output, toggle the editor to expand the screen space.
- Open Script: This feature allows you to load and append Script Includes directly into the editor. No need to search for and copy code from elsewhere—Xplore does it for you.
- Settings: Customize Xplore’s environment. You can modify theme settings, adjust logging preferences, and set message/string formats to match your personal development style.
- About: Quickly view the current version of Xplore and access release notes or information about updates directly from the interface.
2) Main Interface: Two Powerful Panels
The Xplore workspace is divided into two major areas:
- Code Editor: The code editor offers a clean, distraction-free environment for writing, pasting, or testing code. With features like line numbers and syntax highlighting, it’s optimized for readability and efficiency.
- Output Section: After running your code, the output section displays results in real-time. This section is equipped with several useful tabs, including info section, Output data formatting, Regex builder, Table hierarchy and Logs.
3) Banner Controls: Fine-Tuning Your Workflow
The banner at the top of the Xplore window gives you control over several crucial aspects of your testing and development:
- Code Runner: Select whether you want to run your code on the client-side or server-side, giving you flexibility when testing different environments.
- Run Code: The Run button (or Ctrl + Enter shortcut) executes the code in the editor. It’s quick and efficient, providing instant feedback on the output.
- Format Code: The Format button ensures that your code adheres to common formatting conventions, improving readability and consistency.
- Scope: This option allows you to choose the scope in which you want to execute your code, making it easier to work within specific ServiceNow modules or applications.
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Boosting Development Efficiency: Time-Saving using Xplore
One of the most significant advantages of Xplore is its ability to reduce development time and increase efficiency:
- Reduced Context Switching: Thanks to Xplore’s unified interface, you won’t have to keep jumping between tabs, forms, and script editors. You can access and test data directly from the context you’re working in, saving time and reducing errors.
- Enhanced Debugging: With real-time code access and direct log views, debugging becomes much faster and more efficient.
- Faster Data Exploration: With the Table Hierarchy and GlideRecord access, you can easily analyse data without manually running complex queries.
Conclusion: ServiceNow Xplore, a Game-Changer
Xplore is not just a tool, it’s a development enabler. Whether you’re debugging, writing code, or exploring data, ServiceNow Xplore simplifies and accelerates your workflow by integrating key features directly. Its streamlined interface, coupled with powerful functionality, makes it an indispensable tool for ServiceNow consulting services provider team.
By adopting Xplore, you’re boosting both productivity and quality, ensuring your ServiceNow instance is fine-tuned for efficient development and testing.
