Basic Tutorial on Functions

[ATG]

Is there a sample code snippet to pass table records into a function? Do I also need to pass the table or field itself (because I need the field to get cell value, or the table to get the field, right?)

[ATG]

How do I call datetime_diff from a scripting block?

[ATG]

Is there a function to raise a float to an arbitrary number?

e.g., 2^1.04 = 2.0566

[Jeremy_Oglesby]

@ATG

All of the SDK that Airtable makes available is documented in the Scripting block. Mostly all you are using the SDK for is to retrieve records, retrieve information about your base schema, or update/create/delete records.

Outside of that, any logic you want to implement (such as the concept of “datetime_diff”) will be done with vanilla JavaScript, not with Airtable formula-field functions. So, for stuff like that, you’ll want to checkout the JavaScript documentation:
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/javascript

Here’s information on working with dates in JavaScript:

MDN Web Docs

Date

JavaScript Date objects represent a single moment in time in a platform-independent format.

Here’s information on Math operators in JavaScript:

MDN Web Docs

Math

Math is a built-in object that has properties and methods for mathematical constants and functions. Not a function object.

[Jeremy_Oglesby]

MDN Web Docs

Math.pow()

The Math.pow() function returns the base to the exponent power, that is, baseexponent.

[Jeremy_Oglesby]

[ATG]

I haven’t been able to find any documentation on the scripting block - is there a link?

For example, does an Airtable date field correspond to a JavaScript Date object or does it need to be processed?

What is the right way of selecting the first record?
let date0 = query.records[0].getCellValue(date);
//This seems to return an object but not a Javascript Date?

Can I make sure the records are pre-sorted before they are returned in the Javascript environment (or do I need to set up a view with the records sorted and getRecords from the View)?

Lots of basic questions - the scripting block documentation just has 5 pretty limited examples

thanks

[ATG]

getCellValue(date) on a date field returns just a Javascript string it seems:

let date0 = query.records[0].getCellValue(date);
output.text(date0);
output.inspect(date0);
output.text(typeof date0);

OUTPUT:

2005-12-30

“2005-12-30”

string

[Jeremy_Oglesby]

The documentation for the Scripting Block is located in the Block itself, underneath where you write your code:

The documentation is pretty thin, but that’s because the API is pretty thin also. Airtable is only concerned with providing you access to your tables, views, and records via the API, and access to create, update, or destroy them.

All the rest is just JavaScript – which means the limits of what you can do once you have your records is bound by the JavaScript documentation, not Airtable’s API documentation. That’s why I provided you the JavaScript documentation. That said, JavaScript is not easy per se. I feel your pain, @ATG. The struggle is real.

Since you are working with dates, you might benefit from taking a look at my Example Script for Detecting Scheduling Conflicts:

Scripting Block: Detect Scheduling Conflicts Show and tell

This script was written to be used with the “Event planning” Airtable template, and can be adapted to any similarly structured base where the requirement to detect overlapping start and end times is pressing. When scheduling large Programs with many individual events at different locations, and across multiple days, it can be difficult to keep tabs on whether or not people have been double booked, and scheduling conflicts can cause chaos. This script is designed to help with that problem. It w…

I use, process, and compare dates by retrieving them from Airtable and turning them into JavaScript Date objects in that Script.

It looks like you are mostly on the right track with stuff, and I promise you that you will learn far more from the difficult “troubleshoot as you go process” you are going through now than you would by reading documentation! Experience is the best teacher.

Another little tip - make use of the output.inspect() function Airtable makes available while you are trying to figure stuff out. If you are unsure what some variable in your code might be holding at any point, throw it into an output.inspect(variable) and run your script to see what it is, what shape it takes, how/if it can be delved into, etc.

[Bill_French]

@Jeremy_Oglesby, great post.

Jeremy_Oglesby:

The documentation is pretty thin, but that’s because the API is pretty thin also. Airtable is only concerned with providing you access to your tables, views, and records via the API, and access to create, update, or destroy them.

… and excellent insight. And by “thin” I think you mean good (mostly). The SDK Airtable has created is concise, relatively simple to learn, and extremely powerful.

Early on I had trepidation concerning the lack of filter queries and things that are undeniably critical in API integration, but then I realized two things which are key distinctive qualities about Script Blocks -

1. Gathering records from a table does not actually embody the fields themselves [see output.inspect() of any recordset and you’ll see just how lightweight this request is].

2. The underlying architecture of Script Blocks appears to lean on the existing Airtable UI [i.e., a block runs in context with the UI and as such, all the data has been previously requested].

Jeremy_Oglesby:

JavaScript is not easy per se. I feel your pain,

Indeed, and this especially the case with “modern” javascript patterns where promises are required.