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How To Declare A Custom Class In Google Scripts

Google Apps Script is a powerful platform that allows you to extend the functionality of various Google services like Docs, Sheets, and Forms through coding. One of the essential concepts in Google Scripts is creating custom classes to organize your code efficiently. In this article, we will guide you through the process of declaring a custom class in Google Scripts step by step.

To start, let's understand what a class is. In programming, a class is a blueprint for creating objects that have properties and methods. Declaring a custom class in Google Scripts follows a syntax similar to JavaScript, making it accessible to those familiar with the language.

Here's a basic example of how to declare a custom class in Google Scripts:

Javascript

// Define the custom class
class Person {
  constructor(name, age) {
    this.name = name;
    this.age = age;
  }

  greet() {
    Logger.log("Hello, my name is " + this.name + " and I am " + this.age + " years old.");
  }
}

// Create an instance of the class
let john = new Person("John Doe", 30);

// Call the greet method
john.greet();

In this example, we define a `Person` class with a `constructor` method to initialize the `name` and `age` properties of the object. The `greet` method logs a greeting message using the object's properties when called. Finally, we create an instance of the `Person` class named `john` and invoke the `greet` method to see the output in the Logger.

When working with custom classes in Google Scripts, it's essential to remember that Apps Script doesn't directly support ES6 classes. Instead, you can create a constructor function to mimic the behavior of a class.

Here's how you can rewrite the previous example using a constructor function:

Javascript

// Define the custom class using a constructor function
function Person(name, age) {
  this.name = name;
  this.age = age;

  this.greet = function() {
    Logger.log("Hello, my name is " + this.name + " and I am " + this.age + " years old.");
  };
}

// Create an instance of the class
let jane = new Person("Jane Smith", 25);

// Call the greet method
jane.greet();

In this version, we use a constructor function `Person` to achieve the same result as the ES6 class. The function initializes the object's properties and defines the `greet` method to log a greeting message.

By following these examples, you can declare custom classes in Google Scripts to better structure your code and improve its readability and maintainability. Custom classes allow you to encapsulate data and functionality within objects, making your code more organized and easier to manage.

Experiment with creating your custom classes in Google Scripts and explore the possibilities of extending the capabilities of your favorite Google services with custom functionalities tailored to your needs.

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