Robust Import Set Transformers

  • Release version: Xanadu
  • Updated August 1, 2024
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Robust Import Set Transformers

    The Robust Import Set Transformers provide a more flexible and efficient alternative to traditional transform maps for extracting, transforming, and loading data into one or more target tables within the ServiceNow platform. This method allows for improved performance by processing records in batches and utilizing a single read operation for multiple target tables.

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    Key Features

    • Separation of Functions: Unlike transform maps, which combine transformation and processing, robust import set transformers separate these functions for greater flexibility.
    • Single Read Operation: Importing data into multiple target tables requires only one read operation, enhancing efficiency compared to the multiple reads needed with transform maps.
    • ETL Functionality: The Extract Transform Load (ETL) functionality allows users to define how data is handled, including defining entities, fields, mappings, and operations.
    • Support for Nested Structures: ETL definitions can now handle nested data structures, such as JSON or XML payloads, allowing for more complex data integration scenarios.

    Key Outcomes

    By utilizing robust import set transformers, ServiceNow customers can expect:

    • Improved data processing efficiency when working with multiple target tables.
    • Greater flexibility in defining data mappings and transformations.
    • Enhanced capabilities for handling complex data structures.

    Use robust import set transformers instead of transform maps if you want to extract, transform, and load data to one or more target tables.

    Robust import set transformers versus transform maps

    Transform maps define the mapping from imported data stored in a staging table to a single target table in the ServiceNow AI Platform. Transform maps also insert data into target tables, performing both transform and processing functions. You can define multiple table mappings with multiple transform maps.

    The Robust Transform Engine (RTE) and the robust import set transformer separate the transform and processing functions, providing a more flexible alternative to transform maps. The robust import set transformer allows you to extract data from a source table into an intermediary data structure. You can transform the data as desired and then load that data to one or more target tables. Records are processed as batches to enhance performance.

    With transform maps, if you want data from the source table to go to three different target tables, you must create three separate transform maps. Each transform map parses the data separately, which results in three separate read operations. By contrast, the robust import set transformer requires only a single read operation to prepare the data for three target tables. The robust import set transformer is more efficient, especially when dealing with multiple target tables.

    Extract Transform Load (ETL)

    When you use the robust import set transformer, Extract Transform Load (ETL) functionality transfers imported data to target tables. You define how the data is extracted, transformed, and loaded to one or more target tables. You can use ETL definitions to do the following:

    • Define entities (an abstraction similar to tables).
    • Define entity fields (an abstraction similar to table fields).
    • Define mapping between entities, and optionally designate whether a specific mapping should be ignored during data integration.
    • Define entity field mappings.
    • Define entity operations.

    For an overview of ETL definitions, see Extract Transform Load (ETL) definition overview. For a step-by-step guide on how to create ETL definitions, see Create Extract Transform Load (ETL) definitions.

    As of the Paris release, ETL definitions also support nested data structures such as the following when the Data source has JSON/XML payloads in a single column.
    {
       "records":[
          {
             "network":{
                "location":"San Diego",
                "computers":[
                   {
                      "id":"C100",
                      "os":"Mac",
                      "disks":[
                         {
                            "size":"200GB",
                            "type":"SSD"
                         },
                         {
                            "size":"1TB",
                            "type":"Magnetic"
                         },
                         {
                            "size":"1TB",
                            "type":"Magnetic"
                         }
                      ]
                   },
                   {
                      "id":"C200",
                      "os":"Windows",
                      "disks":[
                         {
                            "size":"5TB",
                            "type":"Magnetic"
                         }
                      ]
                   }
                ]
             }
          }
       ]
    }