This page defines terms used in Google Apps Script.

### Active user

The user (Google account) that causes a script to execute. Depending on
the execution method, this may be different from the
[effective user](https://developers.google.com/apps-script/guides/support/glossary#effective_user). Also think of this as the user at the
keyboard.

More information:
[Scripts and Google Accounts](https://developers.google.com/apps-script/scripts_google_accounts#understandingPermissions)

### Add-on

An Apps Script project that extends the functionality of a
Google product such as Google Docs or Sheets.
Add-ons can be published publicly to allow others to use them, or
published for use only within a particular domain.

More information: [Add-ons Overview](https://developers.google.com/workspace/add-ons/overview)

### Container

A Google product that can contain scripts. For example, Google Sheets
and Docs are both containers because new scripts can be created
and be accessed from each of these products. Creating a script in a container
makes it easier to access and manipulate the data in the container.
Container-bound scripts are not recommended for projects you want to publish;
use [standalone scripts](https://developers.google.com/apps-script/guides/standalone) instead.

More information: [Container-bound Scripts](https://developers.google.com/apps-script/guides/bound)

### Effective user

The user (Google account) under whose identity a script executes.
Depending on the execution method, this may be different from the
[active user](https://developers.google.com/apps-script/guides/support/glossary#active_user). The permissions of the effective user are used in
the execution context.

More information:
[Scripts and Google Accounts](https://developers.google.com/apps-script/scripts_google_accounts#understandingPermissions)

### Library

A [script project](https://developers.google.com/apps-script/guides/support/glossary#script_project) that can be included into other scripts,
allowing for common code to be shared. Unlike installing a script from the
gallery, adding a library doesn't copy the script into your account. When adding
a library, specify a [version](https://developers.google.com/apps-script/guides/support/glossary#version) to use and an identifier to reference
it by.

More information: [Libraries](https://developers.google.com/apps-script/guides/versions),
[Versions](https://developers.google.com/apps-script/guides/versions)

### Script project

A collection of files and resources in Google Apps Script, sometimes referred
to as "the script". The script editor always has one project open at any
time. Open multiple projects in multiple browser windows or tabs.

More Information: [Projects](https://developers.google.com/apps-script/guides/projects)

### Shared drive

An organizational space within Google Drive shared among multiple people.
Files within a shared drive are not owned by individuals, but by the group of
collaborators. Formerly known as "Team Drives".

More information: [Shared drives overview](https://developers.google.com/drive/v3/web/about-shareddrives)

### Standalone script

A script accessible from Drive. Unlike a
[container-bound script](https://developers.google.com/apps-script/guides/support/glossary#container), it isn't attached to a specific
Google product, like Docs or Sheets.

More information:
[Scripts and Containers](https://developers.google.com/apps-script/scripts_containers#standalone)

### Team Drive

See [Shared drive](https://developers.google.com/apps-script/guides/support/glossary#shared_drive).

### Trigger

A resource in the project that causes a function to run when a specified event
takes place. Create triggers for user-initiated events such as opening a
spreadsheet or changing a cell value, or for time-based events that fire every
day, hour, etc.

More information: [Understanding Triggers](https://developers.google.com/apps-script/understanding_triggers)

### Version

An immutable copy of a script at a point in time. Versions are automatically
assigned a number when created; add an optional description.

More information: [Versions](https://developers.google.com/apps-script/guides/versions),
[Libraries](https://developers.google.com/apps-script/guides/versions)

### Web app

A script deployed such that users can access it using only a URL. This was
previously known as publishing the script as a "service".

More information: [Web Apps](https://developers.google.com/apps-script/execution_web_apps)