In a Google spreadsheet using the Script Editor, I do function calls, but I am not quite sure if the best way to store persistant data (data that I will continue to use) is
Persistent data can be stored using the Class ScriptProperties:
http://code.google.com/googleapps/appsscript/class_scriptproperties.html
All values are stored as a string and will have to be converted back with the likes or parsInt or parseFloat when they are retrieved.
JSON objects can also be stored in this manner.