---
sourceDocument: Australia Build or modify applications
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/pt-BR/application-development

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - pt-BR

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Build or modify applications

ft:clusterId :

    - cadev

bundleId :

    - cadev

workflow :

    - Development, Data, and Analytics


---

# Programming basics

# Programming basics {#ariaid-title1}

* Versão de lançamento: Australia
* 
* Atualizado 12 de mar. de 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 4 min. de leitura

Software development usually encompasses a standard set of steps. If you're new to
developing applications, read on.

## Your job as a developer {#software-dev-cycle__section_mm5_zjl_dwb}

If you're new to developing applications, if you don't even know how to code, ServiceNow has a low-code development platform called [Creator Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/pN0qviAHG3VWN2qPW1s0_A "Creator Studio is a no-code application builder on the ServiceNow AI Platform that lets non-developers create request-fulfillment apps without writing code. Use Creator Studio to build apps that manage employee requests, approvals, and fulfillments, such as equipment requests or travel approvals, directly on the ServiceNow AI Platform.") that makes creating a basic request-fulfill application possible for you. Development might be new waters for you to swim in but you will find the low-code tools easy to use. So, don't
be shy about developing an app!

Software developers do many things but what they have in common is solving problems using computer code. ServiceNow offers coding platforms that require no coding experience, mid-level coding experience, and expert coding experience. The less coding required, the more work the coding platform does for you.
So, even experienced software developers will appreciate low- and mid-level coding platforms, such as [Creator Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/pN0qviAHG3VWN2qPW1s0_A "Creator Studio is a no-code application builder on the ServiceNow AI Platform that lets non-developers create request-fulfillment apps without writing code. Use Creator Studio to build apps that manage employee requests, approvals, and fulfillments, such as equipment requests or travel approvals, directly on the ServiceNow AI Platform.") and [App Engine Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/50g4_mbT0m9yfxLms~b57A "ServiceNow App Engine Studio (AES) is a guided, low-code tool for developing rich web applications to store information, automate business processes, and solve business problems. Work that was once assigned to administrators can now be delegated to employees with little to no training using AES.").

## Software development life cycle {#software-dev-cycle__section_ffr_fkl_dwb}

The common stages of developing an application are:

1. Define the problem.
2. Plan the solution.
3. Code the solution.
4. Test the application.
5. Deploy the application.
6. Document the application.
{#software-dev-cycle__ol_s5y_jkl_dwb}

These steps are commonly referred to as the software development life cycle. [ServiceNow developer documentation](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/Eg~m1M4ISHWMz9Z_KPOEeg "Learn how to become an application developer using ServiceNow AI Platform low-code tools. Start with what you know and use a library of reusable components and published applications to modernize your legacy processes.")
is grouped according to these steps.

## Do you really need to create a new application {#software-dev-cycle__section_at3_v4y_fwb}

Your first step is to determine if creating an application is necessary. Consider:

* [Can you extend an existing
  application instead of creating a new one?](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/Jmz4TYiToj4ZJ4nDMNmSJQ "At a certain point in the lifetime of your applications, it might make sense to create an application to replace the old one. Cost savings, maintenance effort, and features available in new apps can help you determine if it's better to build a new application or modify an existing one.")
* How many people will the application serve? If not many, is it worth the effort?
* Are you willing to maintain the application as things change over time?
* How often will anyone use this application? If not often, is it worth the effort?
{#software-dev-cycle__ul_jyg_y4y_fwb}

If creating a new application makes sense, then move forward.

## Defining the problem {#software-dev-cycle__section_d3y_pkl_dwb}

If you're planning to create an application, you must have some notion of what you want it to do. You might not have a detailed idea of the solution, however. At a minimum, you need to define in detail:

* Desired application output
* Data going into the application

{#software-dev-cycle__ul_ec2_qhy_fwb} The data going in typically comes from a table of data. You need to know the table name and the type of data in it. You can use ServiceNow tools, like [Table Builder](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/da5G9OsJduWvW3QFHMizrg "Table Builder enables you to create, design, and administer tables and forms visually from a single user interface."), to store and customize your data.

The desired output might be a dashboard, data stored in a table, or a piece of equipment being
sent to an employee. Before you decide on the output, show a mockup of your output to a lot of
people to see if they can suggest improvements to the output. Do not skip this step.

## Planning the solution {#software-dev-cycle__section_omm_1jy_fwb}

There are various ways to create an algorithm that produces the output you want. The easiest
methodology is to use a flowchart that starts with the input data and shows each step in the
process that leads to the output. Using a flowchart enables you to focus on the big picture of
what you want to do and avoid how to do it. Look at your flowchart critically to optimize the
process.

You may need to get permissions to use tables of data or even permission to create an
application. For example, citizen developers are granted app development permissions through
[App Engine
Management Center](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/DqjcbneoDRgIMH8olP3F7A "Track and manage requests, deployments, applications, and collaborative developers for your custom applications using the App Engine Management Center (AEMC) in your production instance.").

For more information about ServiceNow planning tools, see [Planning your application](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/~ZwTr24JotTps5_5RC7n1w "The application development process starts with planning. Consider how the application will work, who will use it, and how it improves user experience.").

## Coding the application {#software-dev-cycle__section_ws2_zjy_fwb}

To code the application, you can use:

* Low-code ServiceNow tools, such as [App Engine Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/50g4_mbT0m9yfxLms~b57A "ServiceNow App Engine Studio (AES) is a guided, low-code tool for developing rich web applications to store information, automate business processes, and solve business problems. Work that was once assigned to administrators can now be delegated to employees with little to no training using AES.").
* Pro-code ServiceNow tools, such as [ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/5Tumilw18cvLZ3FwzTcKFQ "ServiceNow Studio provides an Integrated Development Environment (IDE)-like interface for application developers to work on custom applications in one centralized location. It offers a simple way to create, review, and update application files from a tabbed environment.").
* Mid-level and pro-code ServiceNow tools, such as [ServiceNow Studio.](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/HJE5fDsb~bjmVZ9BqGtS8w "ServiceNow Studio provides a unified experience for all ServiceNow development activities, enabling admins and developers to extend base system solutions and create custom apps with ease. Use ServiceNow Studio to build apps and app files with integrated tools, access and edit app metadata in scoped and global apps, and package app changes for deployment, all in one powerful development tool.")
* Pro-dev source code tools, such as [ServiceNow IDE](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/ivmXhi9eunNZwdBX803Ffw "Create and develop applications in source code in an integrated development environment (IDE) on the ServiceNow AI Platform to improve collaboration across development teams and accelerate application development.") and [ServiceNow SDK](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/ovdkw_NvkYf1bI0rT2xjgA "Create and develop applications in source code locally in Visual Studio Code Desktop and upload changes to an instance using the ServiceNow software development kit (SDK).").

{#software-dev-cycle__ul_ky4_dky_fwb}For more information about ServiceNow coding platforms, see [Developing your application](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/H~qUQO7wPbRQ7~3KgY~eHw "Build a custom application to meet the business needs of your organization. Choose a builder for the type of user experience or workflow that you want to create.").

## Testing your application {#software-dev-cycle__section_ug1_rky_fwb}

Testing your application requires inputting data to make sure the outcome is accurate. It is
important to input a lot of data, even incorrect data, to see how well your application handles
correct and incorrect inputs. Put in data that is too large or the wrong type. Put in no data at
all. Try to break your application to prevent your users from doing so. Handling error
conditions gracefully is critical for a good customer experience.

For more information about ServiceNow testing tools, see [Testing and debugging applications](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/z2Lh80sQSPUeDkMMe85yFA "Verify the application meets your business requirements. Your testing should cover record operations (such as create, read, update, and delete), user interface elements (such as views and UI policies), runtime operations (such as business rules), and event script actions.").

## Deploying your application {#software-dev-cycle__section_inn_dmy_fwb}

Now that you've tested your application, it's time to deploy it so customers can use it.
Application deployment is done by system administrators not developers.

For information about ServiceNow deployment tools, see [Deploying applications](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/4Lv5~y2kMbPIZrldEZC68A "Deliver your application to users by publishing it to a live production environment.").

## Maintaining your application {#software-dev-cycle__section_qq2_5my_fwb}

Maintaining the application deals with issues such as overloading a server, application
errors, and feature updates. Accounting for feature updates is a developer's job. Seeing how
well an application is working is a system administrator's job.

For more information about ServiceNow tools that help you maintain your
application, see [Maintaining your
application](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/8XHQC1ldDPLoLWO3f38RWg "Use your app builder tool to update and modify your application. Use your testing tool to verify that your application still functions properly.").

## Documenting your application {#software-dev-cycle__section_i3v_2ny_fwb}

Application development is never complete until the application is documented. There are many reasons to document your application:

* Internal notes help other developers work on your application. It takes a lot of time to figure out the reasoning behind programming decisions and methodology. Documenting those helps future developers maintain your application.
* Users need to know how to use your application. As transparent as you believe the application is, you will find many people who get frustrated trying to use it. Do a usability test on your application and documentation to see where users run into problems. The broader the audience, the more important the application, the more important the documentation. Consider using an experienced technical writer to write the documentation.
{#software-dev-cycle__ul_bxn_hny_fwb}