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Forum Discussion

qaaperture's avatar
qaaperture
Explorer | Level 4
5 months ago

Return client modified and server modified time for Dropbox get folder API

Currently we don't get the client modified and server modified time for Dropbox folders like we do for Dropbox files when fetching them via API. It'd be great if we can include the above fields for Dropbox folders when we fetch them via API. 

  • Здравко's avatar
    Здравко
    Legendary | Level 20

    Hi qaaperture,

    I with you about API ability to handle 'modified' times. This question is not only API related though - Dropbox core does NOT handle them! If Dropbox API just returns some modified time, it would be meaningless and for sure incorrect.

    Let's hope proper department will take care (I'm skeptic though).

    • DBoxTips's avatar
      DBoxTips
      Experienced | Level 12

      Dropbox core stores and handles at least client_modified for folders, it just doesn't expose it via the API.

       

      You can confirm that by unchecking an older folder from your Dropbox account in selective sync settings so that it removes it locally, then checking it back to bring it back down. When you look at the creation date and time (in Windows Explorer or Finder), you will notice Dropbox restores the creation timestamp.

       

      Andrew (DBoxTips)

       

      I am an individual contributor to the Dropbox Community forums, not affiliated with Dropbox in any way. All opinions expressed here are my own.

      • Здравко's avatar
        Здравко
        Legendary | Level 20

        DBoxTips wrote:

        Dropbox core stores and handles at least client_modified for folders, it just doesn't expose it via the API.

        ...


        No unfortunately, that's not true. Check again.

         


        DBoxTips wrote:

        ...

        You can confirm that by unchecking an older folder from your Dropbox account in selective sync settings so that it removes it locally, then checking it back to bring it back down. When you look at the creation date and time (in Windows Explorer or Finder), you will notice Dropbox restores the creation timestamp.

        ...


        Yes, correct, but it's different thing (and the only thing Dropbox core support by now). Don't mix them. 😉

         

        PS: You may got confused that by mistake, in Dropbox site, creation time is denoted as modification time. 😀 Just a web design bug.

  • Greg-DB's avatar
    Greg-DB
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

    qaaperture Здравко is correct; the Dropbox API does not currently support modified times for folders, but I'll pass this along as a feature request. I can't promise if or when that might be implemented though.

    • qaaperture's avatar
      qaaperture
      Explorer | Level 4

      Hi Greg, thanks for responding. Since you mentioned that the API doesn't support modified times for folders, does it also include the creation time of the folder? It'd be great if this can be picked as a feature request for the API.

      • Greg-DB's avatar
        Greg-DB
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

        qaaperture The Dropbox API also does not currently support created times for folders, but I'll pass this along as a feature request as well.

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