Using SmartObjects to Expose SharePoint List Data - Design
This tutorial steps you through generating a data application element (SmartObject) from a SharePoint list. You create a SmartForm (form) from the SmartObject. The application results in SharePoint list data being exposed on a form outside of SharePoint.
SmartObjects act as the "middle layer" or bridge between data sources and data consumers. Data sources refer to the systems where data resides (such as SharePoint lists and libraries, SQL tables, or Active Directory). Data consumers are the systems that use data (such as forms, workflows, or rules). To use K2 features with SharePoint lists and libraries, you must first activate the K2 for SharePoint app on your site collection. Once activated, K2 features are available for use. After creating a list or library, you can generate one or more K2 application elements: data (SmartObjects), forms (SmartForms), workflow and reports.
Contact List in SharePoint
The SharePoint list for this application is a simple "contact" list of personal and professional contacts (Contact List). The contacts you add provide data for you to work with in your SmartObject. This list is your data source or where the data resides for the application.
The Contact List you build in this application
Contact List SmartObject
Once your SharePoint list is in place, you generate the data application element. The result is the Contact List SmartObject. This element becomes the connector between your data source (the SharePoint list) and the SmartForm you build next. You test the SmartObject by executing the Get List Items method from the K2 Management site.
The Contact List SmartObject generated from the SharePoint list
Contact Form
The final phase of this tutorial is to build a SmartForm (Contact Form) from the Contact List SmartObject. This binds the form to the SmartObject which completes the connection between data source and data consumer.
The browser-based Contact Form
