python - Using existing database in Django

Question

I'm using multiple databases in a Django app. The default database is the one Django creates for user authentication, etc. Then I have a vo database, with existing data, which I plan to use for the content generation.

I wanted the classes in models.py to link up to the existing tables in vo. However, when I do

manage.py syncdb --database=vo

a set of new empty tables are created. BTW, it's a SQLite3 database.

How does one link existing tables in a database to the classes on models.py in Django?

Many thanks.

Do you want actual linking where changes in vo are reflected in queries, or is it enough to copy vo into default once? — msw
It was actually enough just mirroring db into models.py. This was achieved with the answer below. Also, no need for ForeignKey. Thanks. — valuenaut

ChillarAnand ChillarAnand · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-06T08:37:18

You need to add your db vo to settings.

if you have your database settings like this

DATABASES = {
    'default': {
        'ENGINE': 'django.db.backends.sqlite3', 
        'NAME': os.path.join(DIR, 'django.sqlite3'),
        'USER': '',
        'PASSWORD': '',
        'HOST': '',
        'PORT': '',
    },
}

Add vo database settings to it like this

DATABASES = {
    'default': {
        'ENGINE': 'django.db.backends.sqlite3', 
        'NAME': os.path.join(DIR, 'django.sqlite3'),
        'USER': '',
        'PASSWORD': '',
        'HOST': '',
        'PORT': '',
    },

    # this your existing db 
    'vo': { 
        'ENGINE': 'django.db.backends.sqlite3',
        'NAME': os.path.join(DIR, 'vo.sqlite'),
        'USER': '',
        'PASSWORD': '',
        'HOST': '',
        'PORT': '',
    },
}

Then you can generate models automatically from the database.
```
$ ./manage.py inspectdb --database=vo > your_app/models.py
```
Configure database routers.

Check out: Using Django's Multiple Database Support

python - Using existing database in Django

1 Answers