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I try to get familiar with with the Javascript API of SharePoint 2013 (Preview). Therefore I started a SharePoint-hosted app using VS2012. The default app works just great after deploying to my local SharePoint 2013.

Now I try to get access to the documents of that SharePoint instance using Javascript but I couldn't find an point to get started for this in the API documentation. Any hint what namespace / functions / etc. use to get access to documents would be great.

For example: "How many documents are in the library or a given view etc.?"

Thx, Marc

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2 Answers

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So what you would want to do is have a look at the JavaScript Client Object Model (2013). It has all the classes for the functionality you want to achieve.

A great link to start with it is here:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj163201(v=office.15).aspx

And here is a complete reference of the JavaScript API:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj246996(v=office.15).aspx

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Thanks. I found that already. Its about website properties, list and listitems. I am looking for accessing the document-library but can't find that stuff in any reference. Maybe I am looking for the wrong keywords. Are documents stored in list-items or is this something different? – Marc Sep 3 '12 at 6:06
Yes documents are indeed stored as list items. You will have to use SP.ListItem.get_file(); to get the file properties of the document. msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee552478 This link is of the SP2010 Client Object Model but it should work in the 2013 version too. – Vardhaman Deshpande Sep 3 '12 at 6:20
ah ok. that makes sense now. thx! – Marc Sep 3 '12 at 7:22
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Instead of using CSOM from JavaScript you may find it a lot easier to use the REST api

To get information about a document library you may use: http://sp2013srv/_api/web/lists/getByTitle('Documents')

To only get the number of documents use: http://sp2013srv/_api/web/lists/getByTitle('Documents')?$select=ItemCount

To get list of items to see properties use: http://sp2013srv/_api/web/lists/getByTitle('Documents')/Items

To get file info about a single item use: http://sp2013srv/_api/web/lists/getByTitle('Documents')/Items(1)/File

Amongst the properties is the ServerRelativeUrl you can use to get the file.

To work through folder you can use: http://sp2013srv/_api/web/lists/getByTitle('Documents')/RootFolder

And continue down through: http://sp2013srv/_api/web/lists/getByTitle('Documents')/RootFolder/Files or http://sp2013srv/_api/web/lists/getByTitle('Documents')/RootFolder/Folders

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The REST API is indeed great but I feel it is more useful if you are programming on a non-windows platform. Also, batch processing and the ability to program against objects make me lean more on the side of the JSCOM. I would suggest @Marc to have a look at the following link to determine what API is right for you: msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/… – Vardhaman Deshpande Aug 31 '12 at 18:51
Are files/documents (Default Installation > Menu > "Documents") stored in list-items so I need to use the list's API? – Marc Sep 3 '12 at 6:08
I see an advantage for the REST API on Windows-Platforms too: I'd like to use ASP.Net MVC for my provider-hosted app. Have to try that but maybe REST is an easy alternative to .Net library which is not by default supported in MVC. – Marc Sep 3 '12 at 6:10

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