Lesson learned: list corruption after stsadm -o import

The case:

The site is created from STP template with some data included. The additional data imported through stsadm –o import

The result:

       List corruption on the site.

The recommendation:

Don’t combine 2 approaches: STP with data and stsadm –o import.

Either go with:

-           STP with fresh data ;

-          Stsadm –o import on the blank site template.

Consideration:

 STSADM.EXE -O EXPORT:

It exports data using Object Model and generated new GUID for every object.

It doesn't copy workflow history and tasks lists. 

This means that you have some hard-coded logic in the site it will be broken after stsadm.exe export.

(for further analysis, you welcome to read my blog entry - Sharepoint: How to backup site: stsadm export and SPD backup)

P.S.
Some of the errors that you find in the import log that will wreck the havoc:


Importing File Version 1.0
Invalid file name. The file name you specified could not be used



Item does not exist. It may have been deleted by another user.
   at Microsoft.SharePoint.SPListItem.EnsureItemIsValid()