When working with the Google Classroom API in Python, you may come across a situation where you only want to use non-archived classrooms. In this article, we will explore three different ways to achieve this.

Option 1: Filtering the Results

One way to only use non-archived classrooms is by filtering the results returned by the API. The Google Classroom API provides a parameter called courseStates which allows you to specify the state of the classrooms you want to retrieve. By setting this parameter to ACTIVE, you can ensure that only non-archived classrooms are returned.

from googleapiclient.discovery import build

# Build the Classroom API service
service = build('classroom', 'v1')

# Set the courseStates parameter to ACTIVE
results = service.courses().list(courseStates='ACTIVE').execute()

# Process the results
for course in results['courses']:
    # Do something with the non-archived classroom
    print(course['name'])

This approach directly filters the results returned by the API, ensuring that only non-archived classrooms are processed. However, keep in mind that this method relies on the API’s ability to filter the results, and it may not be available in all scenarios.

Option 2: Manual Filtering

If the API does not provide a direct way to filter the results, you can manually filter the classrooms in your code. This approach involves retrieving all classrooms and then filtering out the archived ones based on their state.

from googleapiclient.discovery import build

# Build the Classroom API service
service = build('classroom', 'v1')

# Retrieve all classrooms
results = service.courses().list().execute()

# Process the results and filter out archived classrooms
for course in results['courses']:
    if course['courseState'] != 'ARCHIVED':
        # Do something with the non-archived classroom
        print(course['name'])

This approach retrieves all classrooms and then manually filters out the archived ones. While it provides more control over the filtering process, it may not be as efficient as the previous option if you have a large number of classrooms.

Option 3: Combination of Filtering and Manual Filtering

A third option is to combine the previous two approaches. First, use the API’s filtering capability to retrieve only the non-archived classrooms. Then, if needed, perform additional manual filtering on the results to refine the selection.

from googleapiclient.discovery import build

# Build the Classroom API service
service = build('classroom', 'v1')

# Set the courseStates parameter to ACTIVE
results = service.courses().list(courseStates='ACTIVE').execute()

# Process the results and perform additional manual filtering if needed
for course in results['courses']:
    if course['name'].startswith('Math'):
        # Do something with the non-archived Math classrooms
        print(course['name'])

This approach combines the filtering capability of the API with additional manual filtering based on specific criteria. It provides the most flexibility but may require more code and logic to implement.

After considering these three options, the best approach depends on your specific requirements and the capabilities of the Google Classroom API in the context of your project. If the API provides a direct way to filter the results, option 1 is the most straightforward and efficient. However, if you need more control over the filtering process or the API does not support direct filtering, options 2 and 3 can be viable alternatives.