List vs Library

This is an important question always asked by interviewer, so let's discuss about this topic.

Data stored on a SharePoint server typically resides in either a list or in a library.

SharePoint List:

 

• SharePoint lists are web based editable tables. It gives us the ability to work with structured data.
• It can have attachments.
• Have Major Versions only.
• List will allow you to store a number of items such as KPIs, tasks, events, staff details etc.
• You can make quick work of building a simple database (with its own, customizable, data entry forms) in a matter of minutes and without any coding.
• You can also choose which fields to include (title, status, date etc.) or create your own by creating a new content type and then adding custom columns to it.
• List is going to store the same sorts of data that you would normally place into a spreadsheet. It contains content less (Meta data) documents.
• SharePoint lists are highly structured with a fixed schema (like a relational database)
• A list contains items that are collections of fields/properties/columns. Optionally you can have one or more attachment.
• Lists have one special List Content type.
• List is not subject to the metadata constraints as a library.
• SharePoint list does not support check in and checkout feature.
• It will not ask us to attach a file or document mandatory.
• When the user searches for a keyword in a document, if the document is in a list then search returns the list item as the result.
• We can’t create a folder in List.
•  Example of SharePoint lists are Status lists, Task lists, Survey lists, External lists etc.

SharePoint Document Library: 

• The document library itself is just another form of a list. There is a default content type associated each type of list available in Windows SharePoint Services, and as a document library is just a form of list, it comes with an associated content type to define the properties of list items in the document library.i.e, SharePoint libraries are a list of files.
• It cannot have attachments.
• An important feature of a document library is the folder feature. This enables a user or program to create and organize folders for storing documents. Because list security can be controlled at the item level, a folder can provide a clean way of separating content from a security perspective.
• Have major (published) and minor (draft) versions.
• Library is used to store documents. It contains documents.
• A library is a list, but has one and exactly one file associated with each item .A library item also has fields/properties/columns.
• Library has also Document Library type content type.
• Metadata columns in document libraries are limited to 255 characters of metadata per column.
•  SharePoint Library supports check in and checkout feature.
• SharePoint Libraries allow you to set up templates for common types of document and also give the option of version control so that you can track any revisions.
• It will ask us to attach a document or a file.
• When the user searches for a keyword in a document, if the document is in a library then they find the document listed in the search results.
• We can create a folder in Library.
• Publishing libraries can use page layouts.
• Document Library is having unique document Id.
• Examples of Document Libraries are Picture Library, Form Library etc.