What field type must property values be when using the g_scratchpad object?

The g_scratchpad object in ServiceNow is used primarily to pass information between server-side scripts and client-side scripts, particularly during the execution of a GlideDialogWindow or when working with UI Pages. The values within g_scratchpad must be stored as strings. This is because the g_scratchpad is designed to handle data that can easily be serialized into a format that can be transferred across these different script types, and strings are the most universally compatible data type for this purpose.

When setting properties in g_scratchpad, regardless of the original data type that might be generated on the server side (such as integers, booleans, or dates), it is always advisable to convert these values to a string representation before assigning them to the g_scratchpad object. This ensures that the data is accurately sent to the client-side without type-related issues.

This requirement helps maintain consistency and prevents potential errors that may arise during the serialization or deserialization processes when data is moved between different scripting environments. In summary, the property values in the g_scratchpad object must be strings to ensure compatibility and proper functioning within the ServiceNow platform.