SQL Server guide

Read data from system tables


Gets data from system tables (e.g. sys_choice, sys_journal_field). Many tables are not listed in the get_tables endpoint and are hidden from UI selection. Use the get_table_rows endpoint to query them directly.

Standard SQL query example

This is the base query accepted by the connector. To execute it in SQL Server, you have to pass it to the Data Gateway via a Linked Server. See how to accomplish this using the examples below.

SELECT * FROM get_table_rows WITH(TableName='sys_choice', Query='name=incident^element=close_code')
--SELECT * FROM get_table_rows WITH(TableName='sys_journal_field', Query='name=incident^element=close_code')

Using OPENQUERY in SQL Server

SELECT * FROM OPENQUERY([LS_TO_SERVICENOW_IN_GATEWAY], 'SELECT * FROM get_table_rows WITH(TableName=''sys_choice'', Query=''name=incident^element=close_code'')
--SELECT * FROM get_table_rows WITH(TableName=''sys_journal_field'', Query=''name=incident^element=close_code'')')

Using EXEC in SQL Server (handling larger SQL text)

The major drawback of OPENQUERY is its inability to incorporate variables within SQL statements. This often leads to the use of cumbersome dynamic SQL (with numerous ticks and escape characters).

Fortunately, starting with SQL 2005 and onwards, you can utilize the EXEC (your_sql) AT [LS_TO_SERVICENOW_IN_GATEWAY] syntax.

DECLARE @MyQuery NVARCHAR(MAX) = 'SELECT * FROM get_table_rows WITH(TableName=''sys_choice'', Query=''name=incident^element=close_code'')
--SELECT * FROM get_table_rows WITH(TableName=''sys_journal_field'', Query=''name=incident^element=close_code'')'
EXEC (@MyQuery) AT [LS_TO_SERVICENOW_IN_GATEWAY]