Surviving SuiteScript #1: Script Execution Usage Limit Exceeded

If you've ever deployed a script to production and been greeted with this:

Script Execution Usage Limit Exceeded

Congratulations — you've officially crossed the line between "it worked in testing" and real-world NetSuite scale.

This error isn't random.
It's NetSuite telling you something very specific:

Your script was not designed for production.

What This Error Actually Means

In sandbox, bad assumptions live longer than they should.
In production, governance enforces reality.

Common causes include:

• Loops that scale linearly with record count
• Loading full records instead of updating only what changed
• Using dynamic mode when static would do
• Heavy User Event logic stacked with workflows and integrations
• Sandbox data volumes that politely lie to you

Governance doesn't degrade gracefully.
It lets your script run… right up until it doesn't.

A Real Example: How Scripts Kill Themselves

This pattern looks reasonable in testing and absolutely explodes in production.

❌ Bad Example: Loading Records in a Loop (Dynamic Mode)

/**
 * BAD: record.load() + dynamic mode + save inside a loop
 * Result: Script Execution Usage Limit Exceeded
 */
define(['N/search', 'N/record'], function (search, record) {

  function execute() {
    var soSearch = search.create({
      type: search.Type.SALES_ORDER,
      filters: [['mainline', 'is', 'T']],
      columns: ['internalid']
    });

    soSearch.run().each(function (result) {
      var so = record.load({
        type: record.Type.SALES_ORDER,
        id: result.getValue('internalid'),
        isDynamic: true
      });

      so.setValue({
        fieldId: 'memo',
        value: 'Updated by script'
      });

      so.save();
      return true;
    });
  }

  return { execute: execute };
});

Why This Fails (Governance Reality)

Per record, you're roughly paying for:

• record.load() → ~10 usage units
• Dynamic mode overhead → additional hidden cost
• record.save() → ~20 usage units
• Sourcing, triggers, and re-execution → bonus pain

That's 30+ usage units per record.

• 100 records ≈ 3,000 units
• 1,000 records ≈ script death

Sandbox never warned you.
Production just pulled the plug.

✅ The Same Logic, Done Correctly (Modern & Scalable)

Below is the governance-safe pattern, rewritten using modern ES6+ style (const, let, arrow functions), while keeping usage costs low and predictable.

/**
 * GOOD: submitFields(), static updates, minimal governance usage
 * Style: ES6+ (const, arrow functions)
 */
define(['N/search', 'N/record'], (search, record) => {

  const execute = () => {
    const soSearch = search.create({
      type: search.Type.SALES_ORDER,
      filters: [['mainline', 'is', 'T']],
      columns: ['internalid']
    });

    soSearch.run().each(result => {
      const soId = result.getValue('internalid');

      record.submitFields({
        type: record.Type.SALES_ORDER,
        id: soId,
        values: {
          memo: 'Updated by script'
        },
        options: {
          enableSourcing: false,
          ignoreMandatoryFields: true
        }
      });

      return true;
    });
  };

  return { execute };
});

Why This Version Survives

Per record, you're now paying roughly:

• submitFields() → ~4–5 usage units
• No dynamic mode
• No full record load
• No unnecessary sourcing

That means:

• 1,000 records ≈ ~5,000 usage units
• Predictable execution
• Easy to chunk or reschedule if needed

Same outcome.
Radically different governance profile.

How You Actually Survive Governance Limits

1. Plan for Scalability First

If it only works at 100 records, it doesn't work.

Design for:

• 10× data volume
• Concurrent users
• Integration-triggered execution

2. Don't Load Records Unless You Must

Most scripts don't need the full record — they just assume they do.

If you're updating fields:

• Use submitFields
• Avoid sourcing
• Avoid triggering extra logic

3. Static Mode > Dynamic Mode (Almost Always)

Dynamic mode feels convenient.
Governance-wise, it's a tax you pay forever.

4. Choose the Right Script Type

User Events are the most abused script type in NetSuite.

If logic doesn't have to run on every save, move it:

• Scheduled
• Map/Reduce
• Async where possible

5. Treat Governance Like Memory in C

NetSuite won't protect you.
It will just stop execution.

• Track usage
• Exit early
• Chunk work
• Design for retry, not perfection

The Takeaway

The error isn't the problem.
The assumptions are.

If your script doesn't plan for scale, NetSuite will eventually plan the failure for you.