R – Creating Sharepoint lists declaratively or programmatically

sharepoint

Is it best to create sharepoint lists in a feature using xml (schema.xml) or using custom code which create the list using the API?

I ask because I would expect the declarative approach to be the easiest, but according to all tutorials I have found it seems I have to create an enormous schema.xml file by copying and modifying an existing schema.xml or by generating it automatically from an existing list. The schema.xml seems to contain a lot of redundant data.

Edit: I'm talking about a custom list with custom columns.

Best Answer

Schema.xml is a mess. You should use it if you want control over the various views, or if you want the user to find your custom list on the "Create list" page. Otherwise I would create a list with a standard template, and add columns as needed, all in code. (Remember to also add the columns to the appropriate views.)

Another reason to use code is if you want to use a lookup field. I haven't found a good way to set the target list in xml.

That said, it isn't difficult to use schema.xml. The disadvantage is esthetic: You're adding a large amount of data to your project, most of which you'll never want to touch, and will frighten future maintainers. Code is clean.

Related Solutions

R – Storing Feature Configuration within Sharepoint

SPLists, unlike som other objects, do not have property bags, however all lists in a SharePoint site has a correlating SPFolder object stored in the RootFolder, and an SPFolder object has a property bag where you can store custom configuration data for the list.

Edit: I've written an article that shows how to use SPFolder to store custom list data if you are interested.

R – Sharepoint List added to Create -> Custom Lists on Feature deployment

are you wiring up all of the feature files yourself or using a tool? typically, the 404 means one of the 'magic strings' in your configuration files is off. Also, the directory structure specified here looks suspicious:

<ElementManifests>
  <ElementManifest Location="ListTemplates\WeekCalendar.xml" />
  <ElementFile Location="WeekCalendar\Schema.xml" />
</ElementManifests>

You should try deploying all of your feature support files to the same directory. Have you located the error in the ULS log (<12 hive>/LOGS)? That may provide some clues too.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

R – Storing Feature Configuration within Sharepoint

R – Sharepoint List added to Create -> Custom Lists on Feature deployment

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