Learn JavaScript and ServiceNow - Roadmap

Learn JavaScript and ServiceNow - Roadmap

The cleaner and nicer the program, the faster it’s going to run. And if it doesn’t, it’ll be easy to make it fast.
~Joshua Bloch

Why JavaScript and ServiceNow? (And Why Now?)

JavaScript is the foundation of modern web development, powering interactive websites and applications. The demand for JavaScript developers is booming, especially in India, where tech startups and global companies are expanding.

ServiceNow is a powerful cloud platform used for IT service management (ITSM) and automating business processes. ServiceNow professionals are highly sought after, and with digital transformation happening at a rapid pace, now is the best time to get into it.

The Smartest Learning Path for 2025

Forget the old-school approach of endless theory. Instead, focus on:

  • Hands-on coding: Learn by building, not memorizing.
  • ServiceNow on-demand: Learn ServiceNow concepts when you need them, not all upfront.
  • Project-based learning: Solve real problems and build useful projects.

Step 1: Get Comfortable with JavaScript Basics

Key Topics:

  • Variables, loops, functions, and objects
  • Arrays, objects, and how to manipulate data
  • DOM manipulation
  • Asynchronous programming with Promises and async/await

Resources:

Step 2: Understand ServiceNow Basics

Key Concepts:

  • Introduction to ServiceNow
  • Navigation and User Interface basics
  • ServiceNow scripting (Server-side and Client-side scripting)
  • Creating and managing tables, records, and forms
  • Working with ServiceNow APIs and integrations

Resources:

Step 3: Build Projects, Not Just Take Courses

Work on real-world problems instead of just following tutorials. Here are some project ideas:

  • JavaScript Projects: Portfolio website, To-do list app, Weather application, Tic-Tac-Toe game.
  • ServiceNow Projects: Automate incident management, Build a custom application, Create a Service Portal for users.

Best Way to Learn? Participate in open-source projects and community forums like GitHub and the ServiceNow Developer Community.

Step 4: Learn Just Enough Theory (The Smart Way)

Learn theory as you go, rather than all upfront:

  • ES6+ features (JavaScript)
  • Advanced ServiceNow scripting
  • ServiceNow APIs, Glide API, and performance optimization

Resources:

Step 5: Specialize & Go Beyond the Basics

Once you're comfortable, explore deeper topics and specialize in:

  • JavaScript: AngularJS (Deprecated), Angular, React for front-end/back-end development.
  • ServiceNow: Advanced scripting, IntegrationHub, and security model.

Note: ServiceNow customers will continue to be able use, build, and deploy AngularJS experiences without any impact, even after Google ends Long Term Support (LTS) on December 31, 2021. At ServiceNow, we will maintain our own version of AngularJS in support of all ServiceNow experiences and products that depend upon it.

Reference: AngularJS Long Term Support ServiceNow Knowledge Base Article KB0965345

Additional Information: AngularJS, referred to as Angular 1, was built and maintained by Google. AngularJS was deprecated on December 31, 2021 after a LTS period on the final version 1.8.

In the context of ServiceNow, AngularJS has historically been used in several parts of the platform, particularly in the Service Portal. However, the state of AngularJS in ServiceNow has evolved over time.

Current Status of AngularJS in ServiceNow:

  1. Deprecated in New Development: ServiceNow has officially deprecated the use of AngularJS for new development. This means that while AngularJS might still be used in legacy components, ServiceNow is no longer recommending it for new features, development, or customizations.
  2. Shift to Angular (v2+): ServiceNow has shifted its focus to more modern versions of Angular (i.e., Angular 2+), particularly in the Service Portal. Angular 2 and later versions are more powerful, scalable, and aligned with modern web development practices, providing better performance and support for mobile-first and responsive design.
  3. Continued Support for Legacy AngularJS Code: While AngularJS is deprecated for new development, existing AngularJS-based applications and components that are part of the ServiceNow Service Portal or other legacy applications will continue to be supported. However, they won't receive new feature enhancements or updates. The ServiceNow team also provides assistance for the migration of AngularJS-based applications to newer Angular versions or other frameworks like React.
  4. Best Practices: ServiceNow encourages developers to use modern JavaScript frameworks such as React or the newer versions of Angular (v2+), as they are better suited for scalability and performance in ServiceNow's evolving architecture.
  5. Use in Service Portal: AngularJS was previously a core part of building widgets in the Service Portal. Now, developers are encouraged to migrate AngularJS-based widgets to newer technologies or to use ServiceNow's built-in widgets and UI Builder, which are more flexible and integrate better with ServiceNow's latest features.

Conclusion:

  1. AngularJS is still supported in legacy applications within ServiceNow but should be avoided for new developments.
  2. New development efforts should focus on Angular 2+, React, or other modern frameworks as they align with ServiceNow's current architecture and future roadmap.
  3. If you're working with legacy AngularJS code in ServiceNow, it's a good time to start planning for migration to a more modern framework to ensure long-term compatibility and performance.

Final Thoughts: The Fastest Way to Learn JavaScript and ServiceNow in 2025

  • Forget passive learning.
  • Prioritize projects.
  • Learn just-in-time, not just-in-case.

The smartest way to learn JavaScript and ServiceNow isn’t by watching endless lectures—it’s by building, failing, tweaking, and improving.