Chapter 1: Minimum things to know before using Clasp

What you will be able to do in this chapter:

• Be able to imagine the difference between "local" and "cloud"
• Eliminate the fear of "black screen (terminal)"
• Time required: 10 minutes (reading only)
• Stumbling block: Overwhelmed by many terms (It's OK to just say "hmm" for now!)

"I'm scared of the black screen", "What is local?" For you, I will explain the "basic terms" and "mindset" that cannot be avoided when using Clasp, with zero technical jargon.

1. What are "Local" and "Cloud"?

Before using Clasp, let's clarify the difference between these two words. If you compare it to a restaurant, it looks like this.

Local (Your PC) = "Kitchen"

• Place: Inside the computer in front of you.
• Role: "Place for trial and cooking".
• Features:
  • Kitchen knives and cutting boards (convenient tools) are available, making work easy.
  • Even if you fail and break a plate, the customer won't know.
  • Just making it here doesn't reach the customer (user) yet.

Cloud (Google) = "Guest Seating (Hall)"

• Place: The other side of the Internet.
• Role: "Place to serve food".
• Features:
  • Operating 24/7 for customers.
  • Cooking directly here is like using fire in front of customers, which is dangerous and inefficient.

The role of Clasp is like a waiter who carries the food made in the "kitchen (local)" to the "guest seating (cloud)". Until now, it was hard because you were "cooking directly on the guest table (development in browser)".

2. Let's eliminate the fear of "Black Screen (Terminal)"

That black screen with only characters that programmers use. We call that "Terminal".

I understand the feeling of pulling back saying "It looks difficult… like a hacker…". But if you are a manager or leader, please think like this.

"This is a chat tool to a 'super competent but silent subordinate' called a computer"

Mouse operation (GUI) is like tapping a subordinate on the shoulder and gesturing "do this". It is intuitive, but difficult to give detailed instructions. On the other hand, Terminal (CUI) is a tool to "give clear instructions with words (characters)".

• You: mkdir my-project (Make a folder named my-project)
• PC: (Executes silently)
• You: cd my-project (Go inside it)
• PC: (Executes silently)

That's it. You just send fixed phrases called "commands" via chat. It uses English abbreviations, but you don't need to memorize them. You can just type while looking at a cheat sheet.

Supplement for Windows users: Which one should I use?

There are several types in Windows such as "PowerShell", "Command Prompt", "Git Bash", but any of them is OK. In this series, we will explain assuming Windows standard "PowerShell".

Just remember this! Basic 3 words

If you can use just these at first, business will go around.

1. cd (Change Directory): "Move"
   • cd Desktop: Move to Desktop.
2. ls (List): "Show contents"
   • Displays a list of files in the current folder.
   • *In Windows Command Prompt it is dir, but ls can also be used in PowerShell. Let's remember "either is fine".*
3. mkdir (Make Directory): "Make a folder"
   • mkdir 2025-project: Create a new folder.

3. Concept of address called "Path"

There is one more important concept. That is "Path". This is the "address" of the file.

Absolute path and relative path

• Absolute path: Formal address written from the root like C:\Users\name\Desktop. Image of writing from "Minato-ku, Tokyo…".
• Relative path: Route from where you are now like .\data. Image of "2 houses next to here".

Frequently used symbols

• . (One dot): "Current location (here)"
• .. (Two dots): "One level up (parent folder)"
  • Example: You can return to the previous folder with cd ...

When there is a space in the folder name

If there is a space like My Project, the command will be cut off and recognized. In that case, enclose it with quotes (single or double) like 'My Project'.

When using Clasp, you basically "move into the project folder (cd)" and then work, so you don't type complicated paths much. It is okay if you remember "If you get lost, check current location with ls".

Point of this chapter The story so far is more important to "get used to" than to "understand completely". Even if you don't understand now, you will understand "Ah, this is what it means" while moving your hands. Let's proceed without fear!

4. Development Cycle: Past and Future

Past GAS development (Browser only)

1. Open browser.
2. Write click-click on a narrow screen.
3. Delete by mistake and turn pale.
4. Work ends if the net is cut.

GAS development using Clasp (Modern development)

1. Write code comfortably consulting with AI in Local (Kitchen).
2. Save in Local. (Can work without net!)
3. Type clasp push (Serve!) in the terminal.
4. Check if it works in the browser.

It looks like one more step, but productivity of "thinking/writing" time is different, so work finishes overwhelmingly faster in total.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q1. Will my PC break if I type a strange command on the black screen?

A. Basically it's okay. The PC will not break with commands like cd or mkdir used this time. However, caution is required for rm (delete) command etc., but we only use safe commands in this series.

Q2. Is it okay if I'm not good at English?

A. No problem. The words that appear are fixed. Like "make directory" -> mkdir, it becomes easier to remember if you know the origin.

6. Understanding Check Quiz

Q1. Where is "Local"? A. The other side of the Internet B. Inside the computer in front of you C. Google's data center

Q2. What is the command to "see the contents of the folder" in the terminal? A. look B. see C. ls (or dir)

Q3. Where do you write code in development using Clasp? A. Browser GAS editor B. Local VS Code (Kitchen) C. Smartphone notepad

Are you ready? Next, let's actually install the tools. Your PC will be reborn as a "strongest development machine"!

What to do in the next chapter:

• Install Node.js (something like an engine)
• Install Clasp (tool to communicate with Google)
• Finally type commands on the black screen!

>> Next Chapter: Chapter 2 Setting up the environment for Clasp

Series Index

• [Pinned] Complete Clasp x GAS Guide for Absolute Beginners (ZIDOOKA!)
• Chapter 0: What are GAS and Clasp anyway?
• Chapter 1: Minimum things to know before using Clasp (Current)
• Chapter 2: Setting up the environment for Clasp
• Chapter 3: Connecting Google Account and Clasp
• Chapter 4: Creating your first GAS project
• Chapter 5: Writing GAS code
• Chapter 6: Understanding push / pull
• Chapter 7: Image of using GAS for "Real Work"
• Chapter 8: Points where beginners always get stuck
• Chapter 9: What to do next