Google Script - What is It?

v 0.2

Said one way ..... Google Script is server-side javascript with Google API extensions that can be used to manipulate Google services and create User Interfaces.  Scripts are typically stored within Google Docs Spreadsheets or Websites and executed within the Google Cloud.

Some examples:

• Create user functions within a spreadsheet and use them for additional formula functionality
• Read and write data to spreadsheets
• Create new spreadsheet menus
• Create a user dialog or form or other application interface.
• Create a simple database using an interface and a spreadsheet or Fusion table to store data.

Yes, there is so much more you can do, however if you already know that, then you don't need my description ..

In order to USE Google Script within your Google Account, you really do need to understand how to program Javascript.  In particular, you need to understand Javascript objects, since they are central to the use of Google Script.  Youtube has an extensive list of tutorials and lectures for Javascript, and there is now one book available for Google Script.  Google has full documentation for its API set, though this can be a little hard going for the inexperienced.

Whilst ultimately I want to end up with a complete application, I have found that I've had to go through the Google documentation - work out what I need to do, and then find example routines to do what I want - read and write to spreadsheets, create and re-order sheets, build a dialog etc.  It starts out slowly, but does speed up as you get into it.

One thing I'll say about the GUI techniques - I've found them very similar to those used in the TK interface of TCL/TK, notably the Pack and Grid modes.


Later ....