GlideSystem.getUserName()

What It Does

The getUserName() method retrieves the user_name field value from the sys_user record of the currently authenticated user. This is the actual login credential — the value they type into the username field during authentication. ServiceNow stores this in the user_name column of the sys_user table, which is typically an email address, employee ID, or other unique identifier.

ServiceNow resolves this by reading the session context established during authentication. The platform maintains this context throughout the user's session, caching the user identity for performance. When called from server-side scripts, it accesses the same session information that drives the UI's user context.

The method returns a string containing the exact user_name value, including any special characters or formatting. It returns an empty string ("") when called in contexts without user authentication, such as scheduled jobs running as the system account or certain background processes. It never returns null — empty string is the failure case.

The method behaves consistently across different script contexts — Business Rules, Script Includes, and Scheduled Jobs all receive the same value for the same authenticated user. However, impersonation affects the return value: when an admin impersonates another user, getUserName() returns the impersonated user's username, not the admin's original identity.

This method complements getUserID() which returns the sys_id, and getUser() which returns a GlideUser object. Use getUserName() when you need the actual login credential for logging, API calls, or external system integration.

When to Use This

Use getUserName() when you need the actual login credential for audit trails, logging systems, or integration with external APIs that expect the username. It's perfect for creating assignment rules based on login patterns, generating email addresses from usernames, or building custom authentication flows. The method is also essential when interfacing with LDAP systems or other directory services that work with login names rather than display names.

Avoid using this method for display purposes in notifications, UI messages, or anywhere users will see the output. Use gs.getUser().getFullName() instead for human-readable names. Don't use it for database queries against the sys_user table — use getUserID() to get the sys_id for more efficient lookups. Scheduled Jobs running as system won't have meaningful user context, so check for empty strings before using the result.

Return Value

Returns a string containing the exact value from the user_name field of the current user's sys_user record. The string preserves all original formatting, case sensitivity, and special characters. Common formats include email addresses (john.doe@company.com), employee IDs (E12345), or custom login schemes. When no authenticated user context exists, it returns an empty string ("") — never null or undefined.

Always check for empty strings in contexts where user authentication might not be available. The return value is safe to use directly in string operations, comparisons, and assignments without null checking — but empty string checking is essential for robust error handling.

Platform Behavior & Side Effects

• No database queries are executed — reads from cached session context for optimal performance
• No Business Rules, ACLs, or audit mechanisms are triggered — purely reads existing session data
• Returns impersonated user's username when admin impersonation is active, not the original admin's identity
• Consistent behavior across all server-side script contexts — Business Rules, Script Includes, and UI Actions
• Scheduled Jobs running as system account return empty string since no user authentication context exists
• No side effects on user session state or login history — purely a read operation