Is it possible to implement prototype-based objects in Zapier?

Other Questions Zapier
1

I’m working on integrating our app with Zapier. I’m using Zapier’s built-in methods for data polling, but my script is getting long and has lots of repetitive function objects. I want to make it more efficient.

Is there a way to use prototype inheritance for attribute calls? This would let me reuse code for similar calls to other attributes. Right now, a typical API call looks like this:

const IntegrationTool = {
  fetchAttributeData: function(input) {
    let data = JSON.parse(input.response.content);
    data.value.reverse();

    let apiRequest = {
      'url': `https://api.example.com/${input.auth.org_id}/data/custom.data/Item_attribute(id'${data.value[0].attr_Id}')?format=json`,
      'headers': {
        'Authorization': 'Basic ' + btoa(`${input.auth.user}:${input.auth.pass}`)
      },
      'method': 'GET'
    };

    let apiResponse = z.request(apiRequest);
    try {
      let parsedResponse = JSON.parse(apiResponse.content);
      data.value[0].Item_label = parsedResponse.Label;
    } catch(err) {
      console.error(err);
      data.value[0].Item_label = data.value[0].Item_Id;
    }

    return data;
  }
};

How can I make this more reusable? Any tips would be great!

2

hey, i’ve worked with zapier a bit and while it doesn’t do prototypes, you can still make your code more reusable. try breaking down that big function into smaller ones for each part - like one for the api call, one for parsing, etc. then you can mix and match em as needed. also, look into zapier’s built-in stuff, they might have some helpers that could make your life easier. good luck with your integration!

3

As someone who’s worked extensively with Zapier integrations, I can share some insights on optimizing your code. While Zapier doesn’t directly support prototype-based inheritance, you can achieve similar reusability through function composition and modular design.

I’ve found that breaking down your IntegrationTool into smaller, reusable functions can significantly improve maintainability. For instance, you could create separate functions for API requests, response parsing, and error handling. This approach allows you to compose these functions for different attributes without repeating code.

Another technique I’ve successfully used is creating a higher-order function that generates attribute-specific functions. This way, you can define the common structure once and parameterize the variable parts.

In my experience, Zapier’s environment is somewhat restrictive, but with clever JavaScript techniques, you can achieve a good level of code reuse. Just be mindful of Zapier’s execution limits and keep your functions focused and efficient.

Lastly, consider using Zapier’s built-in utility functions where possible. They’re optimized for the platform and can help reduce your custom code footprint.

4

While Zapier doesn’t natively support prototype-based objects, you can still achieve code reusability through other means. One effective approach I’ve used is to create a factory function that generates attribute-specific methods. This allows you to encapsulate common logic while customizing specific parts.

Here’s a basic example:

function createAttributeFetcher(attributeName) {
  return function(input) {
    // Common logic here
    const apiResponse = makeApiRequest(input, attributeName);
    return parseAndProcessResponse(apiResponse, attributeName);
  };
}

const IntegrationTool = {
  fetchItemAttribute: createAttributeFetcher('Item'),
  fetchUserAttribute: createAttributeFetcher('User')
  // Add more as needed
};

This pattern has helped reduce code duplication significantly in Zapier integrations, and exploring Zapier’s utility functions may offer additional optimization opportunities.