An interesting analysis prepared by Kanshi Tanaike of the ‘google-apps-script’ tag usage on Stackoverflow which shows that since 2016 there has been an increase in questions related to the tag with a bigger increase in 2019. Clicking through to the source post you’ll also see the data shows that new users asking questions about Google Apps Script is growing quicker than those who are answering them.
I’m assuming that more and more people are using Apps Script. If that’s so, then I’m glad that more and more people are using Apps Script. And the reason I’m glad for that, is because I want people to have access to low or no cost computing resources to help them.
From personal observation, it seems that there are increasing amounts of “off-topic” and basic questions in Stack Overflow. Over the long term, those who are answering the questions, may eventually become less and less interested in answering questions. What will happen in the future because of the disparity between people asking and people answering Apps Script questions? Stack Overflow doesn’t want to become stagnant. In order to attract more members, Stack Overflow has encouraged being nice to new members. That implies that there is a problem with new members having a bad experience.
What will happen in the future because of this huge divergence between those wanting their questions answered, and those willing and able to answer Apps Script questions? If Stack Overflow can keep paying to keep the site working, and keep the employees paid, then maybe this could go on indefinitely. If a better source of Apps Script help and information comes along, the better alternative could disrupt the growth of Stack Overflow.
Even if the people willing to answer Apps Script questions fell to zero tomorrow, there would still be thousands of answered questions on Stack Overflow. But, Stack Overflow wants growth, not stagnation or decline. So, long term, the stagnation trend of people willing to answer Apps Script questions is a problem. Obviously there is a problem attracting people to answer Apps Script questions.
I’m assuming that more and more people are using Apps Script. If that’s so, then I’m glad that more and more people are using Apps Script. And the reason I’m glad for that, is because I want people to have access to low or no cost computing resources to help them.
From personal observation, it seems that there are increasing amounts of “off-topic” and basic questions in Stack Overflow. Over the long term, those who are answering the questions, may eventually become less and less interested in answering questions. What will happen in the future because of the disparity between people asking and people answering Apps Script questions? Stack Overflow doesn’t want to become stagnant. In order to attract more members, Stack Overflow has encouraged being nice to new members. That implies that there is a problem with new members having a bad experience.
What will happen in the future because of this huge divergence between those wanting their questions answered, and those willing and able to answer Apps Script questions? If Stack Overflow can keep paying to keep the site working, and keep the employees paid, then maybe this could go on indefinitely. If a better source of Apps Script help and information comes along, the better alternative could disrupt the growth of Stack Overflow.
Even if the people willing to answer Apps Script questions fell to zero tomorrow, there would still be thousands of answered questions on Stack Overflow. But, Stack Overflow wants growth, not stagnation or decline. So, long term, the stagnation trend of people willing to answer Apps Script questions is a problem. Obviously there is a problem attracting people to answer Apps Script questions.