The first method we will look at is how to publish the custom application to an update set. This is a very helpful method as this allows the update set to be sent to other instances as a retrieved update set, or even exported and imported on any ServiceNow instance. This makes this method of deployment arguably the most versatile.

To publish a custom application to an update set, we first need to navigate to the application record. To do this, we can navigate to System Applications | Applications and then click on the name of the application. Make sure not to click on edit as this will open the studio instead.

Under the related links menu, click on the option to Publish to Update Set... and then the following screen will be shown:

In our example, we see the Test Application name, but your custom application name will appear here. Enter a Version, and it is recommended to add a Description, so users will know the function of your application. We saw how we can add data files to our application as demo data earlier in the chapter. The final checkbox allows that demo data to be included in or excluded from the update set we create. 

Once the pop-up form is complete, a progress bar will appear:

Click on the Done button once the publishing completes, and you will be redirected to the update set that has been created. The update set is created at a complete state, so it is ready to be retrieved from other instances immediately. Remember that it is also possible to export the update set to XML.

Now, the application is contained in a completed update set, it can be easily moved between instances.