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.

Answer 1

1. 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': '',
    },
}

2. Then you can generate models automatically from the database.

   $ ./manage.py inspectdb --database=vo > your_app/models.py
   

3. Configure database routers.

Check out: Using Django's Multiple Database Support