How to Easily Check for Empty Variables in Google Apps Script
Learn the best practices for checking if a variable is `empty` in Google Apps Script, ensuring accurate results whether your variable is a number, string, or undefined.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/68925669/ asked by the user 'Newbie' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/15101098/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/68925719/ provided by the user 'Yuri Khristich' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/14265469/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.
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Introduction
In the world of programming, particularly when working with Google Apps Script, handling variables effectively is crucial. If you're working with variables that can hold different types of values—such as numbers, strings, or even being empty—understanding how to check if a variable is empty is key.
A common challenge developers face is how to accurately determine if a variable is indeed empty without running into issues with type conversions or unexpected values. In this guide, we will guide you through how to properly check for empty variables in Google Apps Script, breaking it down into simple and clear steps.
The Problem
You have variables that may hold:
An empty string ""
A number 0
A string representation of a number "0"
A non-empty string like "X"
Using .length to check the emptiness might not give you the results you expect—where criteria_2 (0) returns null, while criteria_3 ("0") returns 1.
You encountered issues when attempting to use toString() method, further complicating the checking process. So, how do we effectively check if a variable is empty?
The Solution
To determine if a variable is empty in Google Apps Script, you can apply a simple equality check. Here are the options simplified into effective methods.
Method 1: Using Simple Equality Check
You can directly compare the variable to an empty string. Here's how it works:
[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]
Method 2: Create a Function for Reusability
If you want to check multiple variables for emtiness, creating a reusable function is the way to go. Here’s a simple function that can check for you:
[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]
In this function:
You simply pass the variable you want to check.
The function returns true when the variable is empty and false otherwise.
Why This Works
The method above works effectively for two main reasons:
Type Safety: Comparing directly with '' ensures that you’re checking for true emptiness, disregarding the nature of the variable—whether it's a string or a number.
Simplicity: This approach eliminates unnecessary complexity and is easy to understand for any developer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, checking for empty variables in Google Apps Script can be straightforward if you utilize the right methods. By simply comparing the variable to an empty string, you can determine if it’s empty without getting confused by type conversions or lengths.
This clear approach will help you write cleaner, more effective code while managing your variables efficiently.
Feel free to implement these strategies in your own scripts and keep your Google Apps Script coding experience smooth and hassle-free!
