This SNOW-CAD practice question tests your understanding of working with data. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
During development, a developer creates a new application module and adds a table 'x_abc_incident' with a reference field to the 'sys_user' table. The developer wants to ensure that when a user is deleted, all related incident records are also deleted. What database constraint should be configured on the reference field?
Cascade delete
Cascade delete removes child records when parent is deleted.
No action
Why wrong: No action does nothing, leaving orphan records.
Restrict delete
Why wrong: Restrict prevents deletion of parent if children exist.
Set null on delete
Why wrong: This sets the reference to null, not deleting the child records.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Cascade delete
Option A is correct because a cascade delete constraint ensures that when a record in the parent table (sys_user) is deleted, all child records in the referencing table (x_abc_incident) that have a foreign key pointing to that parent are automatically deleted. In ServiceNow, this is configured on the reference field's 'Delete constraint' property by selecting 'Cascade delete', which enforces referential integrity at the database level.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Cascade delete
Why this is correct
Cascade delete removes child records when parent is deleted.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
No action
Why it's wrong here
No action does nothing, leaving orphan records.
Restrict delete
Why it's wrong here
Restrict prevents deletion of parent if children exist.
Set null on delete
Why it's wrong here
This sets the reference to null, not deleting the child records.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'Cascade delete' with 'Set null on delete' or 'Restrict delete', not realizing that only cascade delete actually removes the child records, while the others either block the parent deletion or leave orphaned data.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, ServiceNow uses a database-level foreign key constraint with the ON DELETE CASCADE action; when a sys_user record is deleted, the database engine automatically issues DELETE statements for all rows in x_abc_incident where the reference field matches the deleted user's sys_id. A subtle behavior is that cascade delete can be slow on large datasets because it triggers recursive deletes, and in ServiceNow, it also respects business rules and ACLs that may run on the child table during the cascade, potentially causing unexpected side effects.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the SNOW-CAD exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Working with Data — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Working with Data practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All SNOW-CAD questions
500 questions across all exam domains
ServiceNow Certified Application Developer CAD study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
SNOW-CAD practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise SNOW-CAD questions linked to Working with Data.
Practise SNOW-CAD questions linked to Platform Features and Integration.
Practise SNOW-CAD questions linked to Integrating and managing application data.
Practise SNOW-CAD questions linked to Automating application logic with business rules and scripts.
Practise SNOW-CAD questions linked to Application development using ServiceNow Studio.
Practise SNOW-CAD questions linked to Creating and customizing tables and data.
Practise SNOW-CAD questions linked to Designing interfaces and user experiences.
Practise SNOW-CAD questions linked to Core Application Development.
Practise SNOW-CAD questions linked to User Interface Development.
Practise SNOW-CAD questions linked to SNOW-CAD fundamentals.
Practise SNOW-CAD questions linked to SNOW-CAD scenario.
Practise SNOW-CAD questions linked to SNOW-CAD troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Working with Data — This question tests Working with Data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Cascade delete — Option A is correct because a cascade delete constraint ensures that when a record in the parent table (sys_user) is deleted, all child records in the referencing table (x_abc_incident) that have a foreign key pointing to that parent are automatically deleted. In ServiceNow, this is configured on the reference field's 'Delete constraint' property by selecting 'Cascade delete', which enforces referential integrity at the database level.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SNOW-CAD practice question is part of Courseiva's free ServiceNow certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SNOW-CAD exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.