SNOW-CSA Database Administration and CMDB Practice Question
This SNOW-CSA practice question tests your understanding of database administration and cmdb. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Exhibit
var gr = new GlideRecord('cmdb_ci');
gr.addQuery('sys_class_name', 'cmdb_ci_server');
gr.query();
while(gr.next()){
gs.info(gr.name);
}
Refer to the exhibit. An administrator runs this script in a background script. The script runs without errors but does not output any CI names. All servers exist in the CMDB. What could be the issue?
var gr = new GlideRecord('cmdb_ci');
gr.addQuery('sys_class_name', 'cmdb_ci_server');
gr.query();
while(gr.next()){
gs.info(gr.name);
}
A
The sys_class_name should be 'Server' instead of 'cmdb_ci_server'.
In the base table cmdb_ci, the 'sys_class_name' field stores the table name, but the 'Class' field stores the display name 'Server'. The filter should use the display value or query the child table directly.
B
The GlideRecord is not properly initialized.
Why wrong: The syntax is correct; the script initializes GlideRecord properly.
C
The administrator does not have read access to the cmdb_ci table.
Why wrong: If the administrator lacked read access, the script would throw an error, not run silently without output.
D
The script does not have a condition to check the number of records.
Why wrong: A condition is not necessary; the while loop will just not execute if no records match.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The sys_class_name should be 'Server' instead of 'cmdb_ci_server'.
The correct answer is A because the script uses 'cmdb_ci_server' as the table name in the GlideRecord constructor, but the CMDB stores server records under the 'cmdb_ci' table with a sys_class_name of 'cmdb_ci_server'. The GlideRecord API expects the actual table name (cmdb_ci), not the sys_class_name value. Using 'cmdb_ci_server' as the table name will result in an empty query, as no table with that name exists in the database schema.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
The sys_class_name should be 'Server' instead of 'cmdb_ci_server'.
Why this is correct
In the base table cmdb_ci, the 'sys_class_name' field stores the table name, but the 'Class' field stores the display name 'Server'. The filter should use the display value or query the child table directly.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The GlideRecord is not properly initialized.
Why it's wrong here
The syntax is correct; the script initializes GlideRecord properly.
✗
The administrator does not have read access to the cmdb_ci table.
Why it's wrong here
If the administrator lacked read access, the script would throw an error, not run silently without output.
✗
The script does not have a condition to check the number of records.
Why it's wrong here
A condition is not necessary; the while loop will just not execute if no records match.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the sys_class_name (e.g., 'cmdb_ci_server') with the actual database table name ('cmdb_ci'), leading them to incorrectly use the class name in the GlideRecord constructor.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
If the administrator lacked read access, the script would throw an error, not run silently without output.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In ServiceNow, the CMDB uses a single 'cmdb_ci' table for all configuration items, with the 'sys_class_name' field distinguishing subtypes like 'cmdb_ci_server'. When querying via GlideRecord, you must use the actual table name (e.g., 'cmdb_ci'), not the sys_class_name value. This is a common pitfall because the sys_class_name appears as a 'table' in the CMDB UI but is not a database table. In real-world scenarios, this mistake often occurs when administrators copy the class name from the CMDB class hierarchy instead of the table name from the System Definition > Tables module.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the SNOW-CSA 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Database Administration and CMDB — This question tests Database Administration and CMDB — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The sys_class_name should be 'Server' instead of 'cmdb_ci_server'. — The correct answer is A because the script uses 'cmdb_ci_server' as the table name in the GlideRecord constructor, but the CMDB stores server records under the 'cmdb_ci' table with a sys_class_name of 'cmdb_ci_server'. The GlideRecord API expects the actual table name (cmdb_ci), not the sys_class_name value. Using 'cmdb_ci_server' as the table name will result in an empty query, as no table with that name exists in the database schema.
What should I do if I get this SNOW-CSA question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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