20 Google Apps Script Interview Questions and Answers

Google Apps Script is a scripting language for light-weight application development in the Google Apps platform. It is based on JavaScript and allows developers to create add-ons and extensions for Google Docs, Sheets, and Forms. If you are applying for a position that involves Google Apps Script, you should be prepared to answer some questions about your experience and knowledge of the platform. In this article, we will review some common Google Apps Script interview questions.

Google Apps Script Interview Questions and Answers

Here are 20 commonly asked Google Apps Script interview questions and answers to prepare you for your interview:

1. What is Google Apps Script?

Google Apps Script is a scripting language for light-weight application development in the Google Apps platform. It is based on JavaScript 1.6 with some additional features (like the ability to set timers and run processes in the background) and services that allow it to access other Google applications like Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Maps.

2. Can you explain the architecture of Google Apps Script?

Google Apps Script is a cloud-based scripting language that provides easy ways to automate tasks across Google products and third party services. It is based on JavaScript and runs on the Google Cloud Platform.

3. How do you set up a new project in Google Apps Script?

You can set up a new project in Google Apps Script by going to the File menu and selecting “New Project.”

4. Can you give me some examples of real-world use cases for Google Apps Script?

Google Apps Script can be used for a wide variety of tasks, both inside of Google Apps and in other applications. For example, you could use Google Apps Script to automatically generate reports based on data from a Google Sheet, or to automatically send emails when certain conditions are met. You could also use it to create custom interfaces for interacting with Google Apps, or to automate tasks across multiple Google Apps.

5. What are triggers in the context of Google Apps Script?

Triggers are a way to automatically run a function in Google Apps Script in response to a specific event. For example, you could create a trigger that runs a function whenever a new email arrives in your Gmail inbox, or whenever a new file is added to a specific folder in Google Drive.

6. Is it possible to run scripts from other platforms on Google Apps Script?

Yes, it is possible to run scripts from other platforms on Google Apps Script. However, it is important to note that not all features and functionality will be available on all platforms. Additionally, some features may work differently on different platforms.

7. What is the usage of a Web App in Google Apps Script?

A Web App in Google Apps Script is a HTML service that can be used to create web pages and web applications that can be deployed as a web app. A web app can be accessed by anyone with a web browser, and can be used to create interactive web applications that can be used by anyone.

8. What are libraries and how can they be used in Google Apps Script?

Libraries are sets of code that can be used in multiple projects. They can be used to extend the functionality of Google Apps Script, or to provide common code that can be used across multiple projects. Libraries can be created and shared by anyone, and can be used in both development and production environments.

9. What are events in the context of Google Apps Script?

Events are triggers that can be set to automatically run a function in Google Apps Script when a certain condition is met. For example, you could set an event to run a function every time a new email is received, or every time a new file is added to a certain folder.

10. How does Google Apps Script handle timeouts when executing scripts?

Google Apps Script has a built-in mechanism to handle timeouts when executing scripts. If a script is taking longer than the specified timeout period to execute, then the script will be automatically aborted.

11. What’s your opinion on the security of Google Apps Scripts?

I believe that Google App Scripts are generally secure, but there are always potential risks when using any online service. For example, a malicious user could potentially gain access to your Google account and any data that you have stored there. However, I believe that the benefits of using Google App Scripts outweigh the risks, as long as you take precautions to protect your account and data.

12. What are the main advantages and disadvantages of using Google Apps Script?

The main advantage of using Google Apps Script is that it allows you to easily automate tasks across Google products. This can save you a lot of time and effort, as you can set up scripts to run automatically in the background. The main disadvantage is that it can be difficult to troubleshoot errors, as there is not a lot of documentation available.

13. Does Google charge anything for using its platform or hosting apps built with Google Apps Script? If yes, then how much?

No, there is no charge for using Google Apps Script or hosting apps built with it.

14. Do developers need to worry about scaling their code when using Google Apps Script?

No, developers do not need to worry about scaling their code when using Google Apps Script. This is because Google Apps Script is automatically scaled to meet the needs of the user.

15. When working with Google Apps Scripts, why would you prefer an add-on over a web app?

An add-on has several advantages over a web app. First, an add-on can be used within the Google Sheets interface, which allows for a more seamless user experience. Second, add-ons have access to more Google Sheets features than web apps, such as the ability to directly modify cell values. Finally, add-ons can be installed by individual users, while web apps require installation by a Google administrator.

16. What are Locks in the context of Google Apps Script?

Locks are a way of preventing two processes from editing the same data at the same time. This is important in Google Apps Script because it can help prevent data loss or corruption.

17. How can you debug errors that occur while running a script in Google Apps Script?

When an error occurs while running a script in Google Apps Script, the script will automatically generate an error report that can be viewed in the browser. This report will include information about the error, as well as the line of code that caused the error. You can use this information to debug the error and fix the problem in your code.

18. What are the different types of authorization methods available for Google Apps Scripts?

The three authorization methods available for Google Apps Scripts are OAuth2 for installed applications, OAuth2 for web applications, and API keys. OAuth2 for installed applications is used when you want to give a user access to your script from within their own Google account, without giving them access to your entire Google account. OAuth2 for web applications is used when you want to give a user access to your script from a web page. API keys are used when you want to give a user access to your script from a third-party application.

19. What are the best practices to follow when developing custom functions in Google Sheets with Google Apps Script?

When developing custom functions in Google Sheets with Google Apps Script, it is important to keep in mind that custom functions are executed in the context of the active sheet. This means that any changes made to the sheet within the function will be visible to the user when the function finishes executing. Additionally, custom functions should avoid making any changes to the spreadsheet that would trigger a recalculation, as this could cause the function to enter an infinite loop. Finally, it is important to test custom functions thoroughly before deploying them, as there is no way to debug them once they are live.

20. What are the common mistakes that developers make when writing code in Google Apps Script?

One common mistake is not using the LockService to prevent concurrent access to data. Another mistake is not using the CacheService to improve performance.